Baylisascaris is caused by infection with the raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis and it is a relatively uncommon condition. In humans this infestation may cause fatal central nervous system infections, ocular disease as well as visceral larva migrans syndrome. Our company is one of the leading ones as we concentrate on the development of vaccines and therapies for Baylisascaris infection, ensuring that we offer all the necessary services in order to facilitate the conduct of research.
Overview of Baylisascaris Infection
Baylisascaris in people is uncommon but potentially serious and sterilizing infection caused due to zoonosis and falls under the category of Baylisascaris procyonis raccoon roundworm. Even though global estimates of human infections are less than a few dozen, spurious estimates exists, owing to the diagnosis not made or low case ascertainment. The disease occurs especially in children and untreated cases are often accompanied by cognitive disability and in some instances death.
Fig.1 Map demonstrating the highest prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis reported in the literature for each state and province in the United States and Canada. (French, S. K., et al., 2019)
Pathogenesis of Baylisascaris Infection
Characterized by larval migration through the central nervous system, the Baylisascaris infection is associated with grave neurological damage, as mentioned earlier. Severe inflammation, tissue damage, and eosinophilic granulomas can be caused by these larvae resulting in encephalitis. Comprising of embryonated eggs, ova are ingested and this leads to Baylisascaris infection especially in immunosuppressed and young children. Sufficient literature has emerged on the role of the immune response of the host for the severity and progression of the disease.
Fig.2 The life cycle of Baylisascaris procyonis. (Kazacos, K. R., L. A. Jelicks, and H. B. Tanowitz., 2013)
Therapeutics Development for Baylisascaris Infection
Immunotherapy
To the best of my knowledge, no treatment exists for this infection. The only other potential way is to use immunotherapy as a possible treatment. This includes the use of monoclonal antibodies that would target inflammatory pathways such as TNF- alpha inhibitors in order to mitigate the immunological pathology while enabling antiparasitic defenders, as mentioned, work properly.
Targeted Molecular Therapy
As has been previously mentioned, the biology of B. procyonis has been elucidated accumulating selective therapy in its light. Drugs will be the aim for targeting enzymes or proteins that are crucial for the survival and migration of larvae embedding now efficacious therapeutics with lesser side effects.
Identification of Vaccine Targets for Baylisascaris Infection
While the inactivated Baylisascaris Infection is still under development, new studies have significantly narrowed down the range of potential vaccine targets and have provided insight on the immune responses to be elicited for protection.
It remains empirical to find antigens derived from B. procyonis larvae that are able to elicit protective immune responses as the larvae are the most damaging life stage to their hosts. Recently, excretory secretory (ES) proteins were expressed during larval migration and seem to be suitable targets for a vaccine as they assist in immune evasion and faciliate tissue penetration.
With the help of recombinant DNA technology, specific B. procyonis antigens are able to be lab made for further testing of immune response development in animal models. Such a method may facilitate the development of a subunit vaccine containing only the necessary antigens thereby substantially lowering the threat of side effects.
Our Services
We are fully equipped to assist our clients with the development of innovative Baylisascaris Infection vaccines and therapies. Our staff members, which include scientists, immunologists, and pharmacologists, use cutting edge technologies and profound domain knowledge to expedite the advancement of your initiatives. We make it a point to recommend state-of-the-art technologies, development and design to our clients.
Animal Models of Baylisascaris Infection
Based on this invaluable knowledge, we design and use animal models that mimic the disease and therapeutic responses to Baylisascaris Infection. This is essential for investigating the pathophysiology of Baylisascaris Infection and the determining the safety and efficacy of the potential products.
| Pathogen Infection Models |
| These models involve infecting specific animal species with Baylisascaris larvae to study disease mechanisms, host immune responses, and evaluate potential therapeutics. |
| Optional Models |
- Baylisascaris procyonis-Infected Mouse Model
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- Baylisascaris procyonis-Infected Rat 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 Baylisascaris infection. |
| Optional Models |
- Humanized Immune System Mouse Model Infected with Baylisascaris procyonis Larvae
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- Human Brain Tissue Xenograft Mouse Model with Baylisascaris procyonis Infection
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| Optional Species |
Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others |
Targeting virulence factors, our group is engaged in the search and characterization of new Baylisascaris Infection therapy development, such as small molecules, peptides and biologics. In addition, we provide assistance to facilitate the assessment, improvement and progression of your therapeutic pipelines.
If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- French, S. K., et al. "Baylisascaris Procyonis Infection in Raccoons: A Review of Demographic and Environmental Factors Influencing Parasite Carriage." Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 16 (2019): 100275.
- Kazacos, K. R., L. A. Jelicks, and H. B. Tanowitz. "Baylisascaris Larva Migrans." Handb Clin Neurol 114 (2013): 251-62.
- Jurankova, J., et al. "Baylisascaris Transfuga (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda) from European Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos) Causing Larva Migrans in Laboratory Mice with Clinical Manifestation." Parasitol Res 121.2 (2022): 645-51.
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only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
