Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33757548›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2021

Expression of Ascaris lumbricoides putative virulence-associated genes when infecting a human host.

Norashikin Mohd-Shaharuddin, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim, Romano Ngui, Sheila Nathan

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 29% 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

3 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

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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.

Norashikin Mohd-ShaharuddinDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yvonne Ai Lian LimDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Romano NguiDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sheila NathanDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. sheila@ukm.edu.my.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2132-2346
University of Malaya · MYNational University of Malaysia · MY

Funding

Institut Pengurusan dan Pemantauan Penyelidikan, Universiti Malaya RP050B-17HTM and PG063-2014B
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAscaris lumbricoides is the most common causative agent of soil-transmitted helminth infections worldwide, with an estimated 450 million people infected with this nematode globally. It is suggested that helminths are capable of evading and manipulating the host immune system through the release of a spectrum of worm proteins which underpins their long-term survival in the host. We hypothesise that the worm overexpresses these proteins when infecting adults compared to children to cirvumvent the more robust defence mechanisms of adults. However, little is known about the parasite's genes and encoded proteins involved during A. lumbricoides infection. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the expression profile of putative virulence-associated genes during an active infection of adults and children.

methodsIn this study, quantitative PCR was performed to evaluate the expression profile of putative virulence-associated genes in A. lumbricoides isolated from infected children and adults. The study was initiated by collecting adult worms expelled from adults and children following anthelminthic treatment. High-quality RNA was successfully extracted from each of six adult worms expelled by three adults and three children, respectively. Eleven putative homologues of helminth virulence-associated genes reported in previous studies were selected, primers were designed and specific amplicons of A. lumbricoides genes were noted. The expression profiles of these putative virulence-associated genes in A. lumbricoides from infected adults were compared to those in A. lumbricoides from infected children.

resultsThe putative virulence-associated genes VENOM, CADHERIN and PEBP were significantly upregulated at 166-fold, 13-fold and fivefold, respectively, in adults compared to children. Conversely, the transcription of ABA-1 (fourfold), CATH-L (threefold) and INTEGRIN (twofold) was significantly suppressed in A. lumbricoides from infected adults.

conclusionsOn the basis of the expression profile of the putative virulence-associated genes, we propose that the encoded proteins have potential roles in evasion mechanisms, which could guide the development of therapeutic interventions.

Indexed as

Gene ExpressionAdultAnimalsAscariasisAscaris lumbricoidesChild, PreschoolFecesFemaleHelminth ProteinsHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansMaleSoilVirulenceVirulence FactorsHelminth ProteinsSoilVirulence FactorsAscaris lumbricoidesHelminthsImmune responseVirulence-associated

Identifiers

PMID33757548
PMCPMC7985925
OpenAlexW3138648642

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Registered trials

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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.