Latest news with #Schistosomiasis
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Opioids: Parasitic Worm Discovery Could Lead to Safer Painkillers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The evolutionary trick of parasitic worm that sneakily burrows into the skin of its victims could provide new alternatives to opioid-based pain treatments. Opioids are currently used to treat moderate to severe pain, as well coughing and diarrhea. Although they can provide effective relief, long-term use can also lead to dependence, with negative physical and mental health consequences. Researchers discovered that the worm—Schistosoma mansoni—suppresses neurons in the skin to evade detection in a mechanism likely developed to enhance its own survival. The molecules responsible for this suppression of sensation could help in the development of new painkillers, according to the team at the Tulane School of Medicine. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by helminths, a type of worm known to survive in their mammal hosts for many years. Their larvae can infest freshwater bodies like lakes, ponds and rivers—infecting people who, for example, swim, fish or wash clothes in the water. "While bacteria often cause painful cutaneous reactions, host skin invasion by the human parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni often goes unnoticed," the researchers wrote in their paper. Medical microscopy showing parasite. Medical microscopy showing parasite. defun/Getty Images S. mansoni often evades detection by the immune system, unlike other bacteria or parasites that cause pain, itching or rashes—a feat the team set out to investigate. After conducting experiments on mice, the researchers found that S. mansoni produces molecules that suppress the activity of TRPV1+, a protein used to send signals that the brain interprets as heat, itching or pain. As part of the pain-sensing process in sensory neurons, TRPV1+ regulates immune responses in scenarios including allergy, autoimmunity, cancer, infection and even hair growth, the researchers explained. It is likely the parasitic worm evolved its ability to block TRPV1+ because it enhance its survival, the researchers said. "If we identify and isolate the molecules used by helminths to block TRPV1+ activation, it may present a novel alternative to current opioid-based treatments for reducing pain," said paper author and immunologist professor De'Broski R. Herbert| in a statement. "The molecules that block TRPV1+ could also be developed into therapeutics that reduce disease severity for individuals suffering from painful inflammatory conditions." Open spillage bottle of opioid pain killing tablets. Open spillage bottle of opioid pain killing tablets. BackyardProduction/Getty Images The study also revealed that TRPV1+ is necessary for initiating host protection against S. mansoni. Activation of the protein leads to rapid mobilization of immune cells, including gd T cells, monocytes and neutrophils, which induce inflammation. This inflammation, the researchers explained, plays a crucial role in host resistance to the larval entry into the skin. These findings highlight the importance of neurons that sense pain and itching in successful immune responses. "Identifying the molecules in S. mansoni that block TRPV1+ could inform preventive treatments for schistosomiasis. We envision a topical agent which activates TRPV1+ to prevent infection from contaminated water for individuals at risk of acquiring S. mansoni," said Herbert. In the study, mice were infected with S. mansoni and evaluated for their sensitivity to pain as well as the role of TRPV1+ in preventing infection. "S. mansoni infection significantly reduced thermal pain sensitivity evoked by TRPV1+ neurons. Consistently, isolated skin sensory neurons from infected mice had significantly reduced calcium influx and neuropeptide [chemical messenger] release in response to the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin [an irritant for humans and mammals] compared to neurons from naïve controls," the study authors wrote. "Using gain-and loss-of-function approaches to test whether TRPV1+ neurons initiate host-protective responses revealed that TRPV1+ neurons limit S. mansoni skin entry and migration into the pulmonary tract." The researchers are now planning to identify the nature of the secreted or surface-associated helminth molecules that are responsible for blocking TRPV1+ activity and specific gd T cell subsets that are responsible for immune responses. They also seek to further understand the neurons that helminths have evolved to suppress. Newsweek has reached out to the researchers for additional comment. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about opioids? Let us know via health@ Reference Inclan-Rico, J. M., Stephenson, A., Napuri, C. M., Rossi, H. L., Hung, L.-Y., Pastore, C. F., Luo, W., & Herbert, D. R. (2025). TRPV1+ neurons promote cutaneous immunity against Schistosoma mansoni. The Journal of Immunology.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Parasitic SNAILS carrying killer bug found spreading in EU holiday hotspots, scientists warn
Outbreaks have cropped up in Spain and Portugal, with fears that warming weather and human activity could turn more idyllic waterways into danger zones A POTENTIALLY deadly parasite carried by snails is creeping into popular European holiday spots, experts have warned. The bug behind the tropical disease schistosomiasis - also known as snail fever and bilharzia - is now being found in beautiful rivers and lakes across the Mediterranean. Advertisement 3 Freshwater snails carrying the potentially deadly worm Credit: Wikimedia Commons 3 Schistosomiasis, if left untreated, can cause infertility, blindness, severe organ damage, and bladder cancer Credit: Alamy Experts think a combination of tourism and warmer temperatures in Europe could be to blame for the rise in infections. The disease, caused by parasitic worms that live inside freshwater snails, can silently infect people who swim, paddle or wash in contaminated water. The fork-shaped grub burrows through human skin where it lays thousands of eggs. These eggs can lodge in organs and, if left untreated, cause infertility, blindness, severe organ damage, and even bladder cancer. Advertisement In children, repeated infections can even lead to stunted growth. 'It was people travelling from Africa, particularly Senegal, who imported the parasites," said Bonnie Webster, Principal Researcher at the Schistosome Snail Resource at the Natural History Museum. "When it happens, it's hard to control," she added, according to The Telegraph. "Once one snail is infected, they infect a whole population of snails which then infect a whole population of humans." Advertisement The alarm was raised at the Wellcome Trust in London last week, as scientists said the disease, once mostly confined to sub-Saharan Africa, is now spreading in parts of southern Europe. More than 120 cases have been confirmed in Corsica since 2014, with evidence suggesting the worms were brought over by infected individuals from Senegal. The deadly parasitic worm that's set to invade Europe – and it lays its eggs inside human organs These individuals are believed to have shed the parasite in their pee, infecting rivers where local snails then became riddled with the bug. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have cropped up in Spain and Portugal, with fears that warming weather and human activity could turn more idyllic waterways into danger zones. Advertisement Schistosomiasis is estimated to affect 240 million people worldwide, with 90 per cent of cases in Africa. Every year, the disease kills between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Scientists are growing concerned that changes in weather patterns is making the problem worse. 'Climate change will cause huge changes in transmission which need to be understood,' said Bonnie. Advertisement 'Some areas will become drier and other areas will become flooded creating new water bodies. 3 Sporadic outbreaks of the bug in snails have cropped up in Spain and Portugal Credit: Getty "This will lead to snails changing where they can be found and cause the prevalence of schistosomiasis to increase and spread leading to outbreaks in new locations.' While the threat is rising in Europe, the brunt of the disease still falls on poor, rural communities in Africa, especially among farmers, fishermen and women who wash clothes or collect water from infested rivers. Advertisement Children are also at high risk due to poor hygiene and frequent water contact. The disease comes in two main forms: urogenital and intestinal. Urogenital affects the bladder and reproductive organs, while the intestinal form targets the gut, causing pain, diarrhoea and bleeding. First local case in Europe Europe's first schistosomiasis outbreak was in Portugal in the 1920s, lasting an astonishing 50 years, after travellers brought it over from Angola. Advertisement More recently, the first locally acquired case in Europe was noted in 2013, when a 12-year-old German boy became infected while swimming in Corsica's scenic Cavu River, according to reports. Over 100 swimmers later tested positive. The last known case in Corsica was in 2019 - but experts warn dozens more could be infected without knowing, as symptoms may not show for years. There is a treatment, praziquantel, a drug that paralyses the worms, but access is critically limited in the countries hit hardest. Advertisement
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare and deadly disease carried by African snails hits Europe
A rare but potentially deadly disease carried by African snails is spreading into Europe, scientists have warned. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by worms that naturally live in freshwater snails. The worms enter the human body by burrowing through the skin during contact with water in which the snails live – typically when people swim, paddle, or bathe in rivers and lakes. Once largely confined to sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is now appearing in parts of Europe due to increased migration and tourism, according to researchers gathered at the Wellcome Trust last week. More than 120 cases have been reported in Corsica since 2014, with evidence linking the cases to individuals from Senegal who most likely swam in local rivers and shed the worms through their urine, which subsequently infected snails in the area where they survived and multiplied. Sporadic cases have also been reported in Spain and Portugal. Adult worms can live inside the body and survive for decades. They lay thousands of eggs continuously every day and some go into the organs. These eggs are released by urine and faeces into water bodies, burrow into snails, and proliferate and left untreated can lead to bladder cancer, infertility, and severe organ damage. 'The particular snails which are responsible … are widespread in the southern Mediterranean region,' said Bonnie Webster, Principal Researcher at the Schistosome Snail Resource at the Natural History Museum. 'It was people travelling from Africa, particularly Senegal who imported the parasites. When it happens it's hard to control.' 'Once one snail is infected, they infect a whole population of snails which then infect a whole population of humans,' she added. The disease is estimated to impact 240 million people, with 90 per cent of cases found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 15,000 to 20,000 schistosomiasis-related deaths every year. The spread of schistosomiasis, which is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is also being driven by climate change, said Ms Webster. 'Climate change will cause huge changes in transmission which need to be understood,' she said. 'Some areas will become drier and other areas will become flooded creating new water bodies. This will lead to snails changing where they can be found and cause the prevalence of schistosomiasis to increase and spread leading to outbreaks in new locations.' While cases are increasing in Europe, schistosomiasis mostly affects poor and rural communities in Africa – particularly agricultural and fishing communities. Women doing domestic chores in infested water, such as washing clothes, are also at higher risk and can develop female genital schistosomiasis, a condition where the worms affect the reproductive system. Inadequate hygiene and contact with infected water also make children especially vulnerable to infection. There are two types of schistosomiasis – urogenital (the most prevalent form of the disease) and intestinal. Urogenital schistosomiasis is when worms live in the veins and drain the pelvic organs. It can cause enlarged liver, blood in urine, miscarriages, kidney damage and bladder cancer, while intestinal schistosomiasis can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and blood in the stool. The first outbreak of schistosomiasis identified in Europe was in Portugal during the 1920s and was thought to have lasted 50 years, and was traced back to travellers from Angola. The first person to acquire indigenous schistosomiasis in Europe was a 12-year-old German boy in Corsica in August 2013, who swam in the Cavu River on a family holiday. Since then, more than 100 people who swam in the same river became infected. The last case reported in Corsica was in 2019, although researchers suspect dozens of people may have contracted the infection undetected, given it can take years for symptoms to appear. While there is a treatment for schistosomiasis – the drug praziquantil which works by paralysing the worms – there are critical shortages in large parts of Africa. Recent funding cuts to USAID are expected to worsen the problem, experts at Wellcome warned. 'The snowball effect that we're already seeing following the US aid funding cuts have had downstream effects with agencies abroad,' says Amaya Bustinduy, Clinical Professor of Global Paediatrics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 'In Zambia, many laboratories working on diseases like HPV, NTDs and HIV have been shut down. We are just waiting to measure the impact.' Ms Webster adds, 'Some diseases we've made really great progress with like schistosomiasis will start to reverse.' The work on drug development is ongoing however there is concern that drug resistance is evolving. Bustinduy says, 'It's only a matter of time for the disease to become drug resistant as we know there are genetic targets in the schistosomiasis parasite that are less susceptible to praziquantel. We need more studies.' Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
21-10-2024
- Health
- Yahoo
Tracking vampire worms with machine learning − using AI to diagnose schistosomiasis before the parasites causing it hatch in your blood
Blood samples of patients infected with a parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis contain hidden information that marks different stages of the disease. In our recently published research, our team used machine learning to uncover that hidden information and improve early detection and diagnosis of infection. The parasite that causes schistosomiasis completes its life cycle in two hosts – first in snails and then in mammals such as people, dogs and mice. Freshwater worm eggs enter human hosts through the skin and circulate throughout the body, damaging multiple organs, including the liver, intestine, bladder and urethra. When these larvae reach blood vessels connecting the intestines to the liver, they mature into adult worms. They then release eggs that are excreted when the infected person defecates, continuing the transmission cycle. Since diagnosis currently relies on detecting eggs in feces, doctors usually miss the early stages of infection. By the time eggs are detected, patients have already reached an advanced stage of the disease. Because diagnosis rates are poor, public health officials typically mass-administer the drug praziquantel to populations in affected regions. However, praziquantel cannot clear juvenile worms in early stages of infection, nor can it prevent reinfection. Our study provides a clear path forward to improving early detection and diagnosis by identifying the hidden information in blood that signals active, early stage infection. Your body responds to a schistosomiasis infection by mounting an immune response involving several types of immune cells, as well as antibodies specifically targeting molecules secreted by or present on the worm and eggs. Our study introduces two ways to screen for certain characteristics of antibodies that signal early infection. The first is an assay that captures a quantitative and qualitative profile of immune response, including various classes of antibodies and characteristics that dictate how they communicate with other immune cells. This allowed us to identify specific facets of the immune response that distinguish uninfected patients from patients with early and late-stage disease. Second, we developed a new machine learning approach that analyzes antibodies to identify latent characteristics of the immune response linked to disease stage and severity. We trained the model on immune profile data from infected and uninfected patients and tested the model on data that wasn't used for training and data from a different geographical location. We identified not only biomarkers for the disease but also the potential mechanism that underlies infection. Why it matters Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide, causing 280,000 deaths annually. Early diagnosis can improve treatment effectiveness and prevent severe disease. In addition, unlike many machine learning methods that are black boxes, our approach is also interpretable. This means it can provide insights into why and how the disease develops beyond simply identifying markers of disease, guiding future strategies for early diagnosis and treatment. What still isn't known The schistosomiasis infection signatures we identified remain stable across two geographical regions across two continents. Future research could explore how well these biomarkers apply to additional populations. Further, our work identifies a potential mechanism behind disease progression. We found that a particular immune response against a specific protein on the surface of the worm signals an intermediate stage of infection. Understanding how the immune system responds to this understudied antigen could improve diagnosis and treatment. What's next Besides improving our understanding of how the immune system responds to different stages of infection, our findings identify key antigens that could pave the way for designing cost-effective and efficient approaches to diagnosis and treatments. Our next steps will include actually deploying these strategies in the field for early detection and management of disease. The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Trirupa Chakraborty, University of Pittsburgh; Aniruddh Sarkar, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Jishnu Das, University of Pittsburgh Viruses are doing mysterious things everywhere – AI can help researchers understand what they're up to in the oceans and in your gut Identifying aquatic plants with drones could be the key to reducing a parasitic infection in people Ivermectin is a Nobel Prize-winning wonder drug – but not for COVID-19 Trirupa Chakraborty is affiliated with Light Up non-profit organisation, based in India. The organisation does not have any connection with or benefits from this article. Aniruddh Sarkar has received grant funding from the NIAID, BARDA, Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), Atlanta Center for Point-of-Care Technologies (ACME POCT), Center for Childhood Infections & Vaccines (CCIV) and the Bernie Marcus Early Career Professorship at Georgia Tech Jishnu Das has research grant funding from the NIH (NIAID, NHGRI, NIAMS, NEI, NCI, NHLBI, NIMH), DoD and the Rainin Foundation. He consults for Seromyx on a case-by-case basis and receives corresponding financial compensation including stock options. Seromyx has no direct connection to (including benefitting from financially or otherwise) this article.
