Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28407790›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2017

Ultrastructure and localization of Neorickettsia in adult digenean trematodes provides novel insights into helminth-endobacteria interaction.

Kerstin Fischer, Vasyl V Tkach, Kurt C Curtis, Peter U Fischer

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 51% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 19 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Genetic diversity and host-symbiont cophylogenetic analysis ofCurrent research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Kerstin FischerInfectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
Vasyl V TkachDepartment of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-9019, USA.
Kurt C CurtisInfectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
Peter U FischerInfectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. Pufische@DOM.wustl.edu.
Washington University in St. Louis · USUniversity of North Dakota · US

Funding

Zoonotic cycle and transmission dynamics of NeorickettsiaR15AI092622 · NIAID · UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA · PI TKACH, VASYL · 2011 to 2011
$414k
NIAID NIH HHS R15 AI092622
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeorickettsia are a group of intracellular α proteobacteria transmitted by digeneans (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda). These endobacteria can also infect vertebrate hosts of the helminths and cause serious diseases in animals and humans. Neorickettsia have been isolated from infected animals and maintained in cell cultures, and their morphology in mammalian cells has been described. However, limited information is available on the morphology and localization of Neorickettsia in the trematode host.

methodsWe used a Neorickettsia-infected strain of the model trematode Plagiorchis elegans to infect Syrian Golden hamsters to produce adult worms. Ultrastructure of Neorickettsia was assessed by transmission electron microscopy of high pressure freezing/freeze substitution fixed specimens. A Neorickettsia surface protein from P. elegans (PeNsp-3) was cloned and antibodies against the recombinant protein were used to localize Neorickettsia by immunohistochemistry.

resultsUltrastructural analysis revealed moderate numbers of pleomorphic endobacteria with a median size of 600 × 400 nm and characteristic double membranes in various tissue types. Endobacteria showed tubular membrane invaginations and secretion of polymorphic vesicles. Endobacteria were unevenly localized as single cells, or less frequently as small morula-like clusters in the ovary, Mehlis' gland, vitelline follicles, uterus, intrauterine eggs, testis, cirrus-sac, tegument, intestine and the oral and ventral sucker. Examination of hamster small intestine infected with P. elegans showed many endobacteria at the host-parasite interface such as the oral and ventral sucker, the tegument and the excretory pore.

conclusionsWe conclude that adult P. elegans trematodes carry Neorickettsia endobacteria in varying numbers in many tissue types that support vertical transmission, trematode to trematode transmission via seminal fluid, and possibly horizontal transmission from trematodes to vertebrate hosts. These means appear to be novel mechanisms of pathogen transmission by endoparasitic worms.

Indexed as

AnimalsAnimal StructuresFemaleImmunohistochemistryMaleMesocricetusMicroscopy, Electron, TransmissionNeorickettsiaTrematodaDigenan trematodesElectron microscopyImmunohistochemistryLocalizationNeorickettsia

Identifiers

PMID28407790
PMCPMC5390476
OpenAlexW2605593980

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.