Angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is known to occur everywhere as long as the outcome if the individual is consumption of raw meat of infected snails or other invertebrates is led to it. There is a possibility of infection through contaminated vegetables as well. Attracted by such scenarios, our team is devoted in formulating therapies and vaccines that will aid in case of angiostrongyliasis on a wider perspective supporting your research goals.
Overview of Angiostrongyliasis
Angiostrongyliasis is an emerging zoonotic disease that is becoming increasing in incidence worldwide which was first pronounced to be caused due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It was primarily confined to the tropics and sub tropics but now the temperate zones are starting to also observe the spread of it. Eating undercooked or raw snails, slugs or other sea life that contain the infective larvae leads to becoming a host to the disease.
Fig.1 Global distribution of assumed and confirmed paratenic hosts of A. cantonensis. (Turck, H.C., et al., 2022)
Pathogenesis of Angiostrongyliasis
The raw or undercooked stuff ingested by people or vegetables that have worms on them serve as intermediates for humans providing the source of infection. Ooze that emerges from these tend to enter the central nervous system and serve as the backbone for eosinophilic meningitis which is a type of clinical disease. Pathological changes can be identified at and around the brain as infiltrative and granular inflammation, leading to the formation of dead worms or their remains that contain the oozes mentioned above.
Fig.2 The life cycle of A cantonensis. (Wang, Q.P., et al., 2008)
Diagnosis Development of Angiostrongyliasis
As we look into the distinct aspects of angiostrongyliasis, it is rather clear that the research done in the past has primarily focused on the existence of specific antigens alongside antibodies rather than the antigens themselves.
Antibody Detection
Anti-body ELISA has established itself as one of the more popular methods employed in the diagnosis of suspected angiostrongyliasis patients in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid. The methods of detecting seroprevalence often employ crude or partially purified antigens from adult worms, larvae in the brain stage or excretory-secretory products. At this time, ELISA-IgG1 specifically targeting the eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis worms has been introduced into practice.
Antigen Detection
Sandwich ELISA, an immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies that target antigens of parasites, offers great possibilities. Say, for instance, 50% sensitivity and 100% specificity were found for the sandwich ELISA employing the monoclonal antibody AW-3C2 to the circulating antigens present in the sera of angiostrongyliasis infected individuals.
Vaccine Development for Angiostrongyliasis
To date, there has been a sleuth of work in vaccine research for Angiostrongyliasis especially in the recent years. Several immunogenic proteins have already been found and there has been substantial progress on the preclinical work. Some of the therapeutics investigated include protease inhibitors and surface antigens which appear to be essential for the parasite's infectivity and survival.
- Protease Inhibitors: Serine Protease Inhibitors are directed against the parasitic digestive enzymes, hence stopping the parasite from being able to utilize the host tissue proteins for growth and development.
- Surface Antigens: Galactose-Specific Lectin, this surface protein facilitates the attachment of the parasite to the cells of the host. N-Acetylgalactosamine-specific Lectin assists the parasite in avoiding immune rejection.
Our Services
Our firm is equipped to address the need for the design and development of the next generation of angiostrongyliasis vaccines and therapies. Our firm is focused on deep technologies and novel therapeutic development with the aid of industry professionals including immunologists, pharmacologists and scientists.
Animal Models of Angiostrongyliasis
Based on this amorphous knowledge base, we create and utilize animal models that exhibit the features of the disease and the responses of the therapies in a realistic Angiostrongyliasis model. These models enable a thorough examination of the pathophysiological aspects of angiostrongyliasis and aid in assessing the effectiveness of the proposed therapies.
| Pathogen Infection Models |
| These models involve infecting specific animal models with Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis to study disease mechanisms, immune responses, and potential therapies. |
| Optional Models |
- Angiostrongylus cantonensis-Infected SCID Mouse Model
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- Angiostrongylus costaricensis -Infected SCID Mouse Model
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| Humanized Models |
| Humanized models are engineered to express human tissues or immune components, allowing for a more accurate representation of human disease conditions. |
| Optional Models |
- Humanized Immune System Mouse Model Infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
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- Human Brain Tissue Xenograft Mouse Model with Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection
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| Optional Species |
Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others |
The primary goal is to develop novel antimicrobial agents such as small molecules, peptides, biologics and therapies aimed at the virulent factors in angiostrongyliasis. We assist in the assessment, optimization and progression of the therapeutic pipeline.
If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- Turck, H.C., et al., "Paratenic hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and their relation to human neuroangiostrongyliasis globally." One Health, (2022). 15: p. 100426.
- Wang, Q.P., et al., "Human angiostrongyliasis." Lancet Infect Dis, (2008). 8(10): p. 621-630.
- Eamsobhana, P. and Yong, H.S., "Immunological diagnosis of human angiostrongyliasis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae)." Int J Infect Dis, (2009). 13(4): p. 425-431.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
