Ascariasis is an illness caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. In over 85% of cases, the infection is asymptomatic, particularly when the worm burden is low. As a prominent company, we are focus on developing vaccines and therapies for ascariasis, providing high-quality services to support your research.
Overview of Ascariasis
Ascariasis, caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, remains one of the most common helminthic infections worldwide, particularly in regions with poor sanitation. It is estimated that approximately 800 million to 1.2 billion people are infected globally, with the highest prevalence found in tropical and subtropical regions. Recent studies highlight that while many cases are asymptomatic, severe infections can lead to significant morbidity, especially in children, where complications like malnutrition and intestinal obstruction are more frequent.
Fig.1 Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infections in 2010. (Else, K. J., et al., 2020)
Pathology of Ascariasis
The pathology of ascariasis primarily involves the mechanical and inflammatory effects of adult worms and their larvae within the host. Larvae migration through the lungs can cause eosinophilic pneumonia (Löffler's syndrome), while adult worms in the intestines may lead to malnutrition, intestinal obstruction, or biliary tract complications. Recent studies emphasize that chronic infection, especially in children, can result in significant growth and cognitive impairments due to the prolonged inflammatory response and nutrient malabsorption.
Fig.2 Ascaris male and female, reproductive systems, and zygote maturation within the uterus. (Wang, J., and R. E. Davis., 2020)
Specific Antigens Development for Ascaris
The development of Ascaris-specific antigens holds significant importance in parasitology and immunology, particularly for use in diagnostics, vaccine development, and immunotherapy.
Ascaris lumbricoides 14-3-3 Protein
The 14-3-3 protein family is widely present across various organisms. Researchers have developed a new ELISA using the recombinant Ascaris lumbricoides 14-3-3 protein. This antigen has shown high specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing Ascaris-infected individuals from non-infected ones.
Ascaris lumbricoides C-type Lectin
C-type lectins are a common family of proteins found on the surface of parasites. The ELISA test based on this antigen showed high specificity for detecting Ascaris infections by identifying anti-C-type lectin antibodies in the serum of infected individuals, particularly in the early stages of infection.
Vaccine Development for Ascariasis
- Subunit Vaccines: Subunit vaccines are based on specific Ascaris proteins or peptides and offer a high safety profile. Some subunit vaccines have shown good immunogenicity in animal models. For instance, vaccines using As16 or As37 as antigens have demonstrated significant protective immune responses in mice.
- DNA Vaccines: DNA vaccines, which involve the administration of DNA sequences encoding target antigens, have also been explored. Studies have shown that DNA vaccines encoding As14 and As37 genes exhibit good immunogenicity in animal models.
- Recombinant Viral Vector Vaccines: Using viral vectors to express Ascaris antigens is another potential strategy. For example, vaccines utilizing poxvirus or adenovirus vectors to express As16 or As37 antigens have shown some protective effects in mouse models.
Our Services
At our company, we are proud to offer a comprehensive suite of services to support our clients in the development of innovative ascariasis vaccines and therapies. Our team of seasoned scientists, immunologists, and pharmacologists leverages state-of-the-art technologies and deep domain expertise to accelerate the progress of your projects.
Animal Models of Ascariasis
Drawing on our extensive expertise, we develop and employ animal models that accurately replicate the disease characteristics and therapeutic responses of ascariasis. These models are crucial for precisely studying the pathophysiology of ascariasis and for rigorously evaluating the safety and efficacy of potential therapies.
| Pathogen Infection Models |
| These models involve infecting specific animal models with Ascaris species to study disease mechanisms, host immune responses, and evaluate potential therapeutics. |
| Optional Models |
- Ascaris suum-Infected Pig Model
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- Ascaris suum-Infected SCID Mouse Model
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| Humanized Models |
| Humanized models are engineered to express human tissues or immune components, providing a more accurate representation of human disease conditions and immune responses in ascariasis. |
| Optional Models |
- Humanized Immune System Mouse Model Infected with Ascaris lumbricoides Antigens
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- Human Intestinal Xenograft Mouse Model with Ascaris lumbricoides Infection
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| Optional Species |
Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others |
In ascariasis therapy development, our team focuses on discovering and characterizing new antimicrobial agents, such as small molecules, peptides, and biologics, that target virulence factors. We also offer services to support the evaluation, optimization, and advancement of your therapeutic pipeline.
If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- Else, K. J., et al. "Whipworm and Roundworm Infections." Nat Rev Dis Primers 6.1 (2020): 44. Print.
- Wang, J., and R. E. Davis. "Ascaris." Curr Biol 30.10 (2020): R423-R25. Print.
- de Castro, J. C., et al. "Vaccination with Chimeric Protein Induces Protection in Murine Model against Ascariasis." Vaccine 39.2 (2021): 394-401. Print.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
