Capillaria hepatica and Capillaria philippinensis are responsible for causing the parasitic disease capillariasis in humans. C. hepatica is caused through contaminated animal excrement which can lead to the development of hepatitis. At our company, we build and develop vaccines against capillariasis by utilizing state of the art technology and research which can assist your research.
Introduction to Capillariasis
Capillariasis is a rare parasitic infection usually caused by Capillaria larva, most commonly encountered in the phillipino region however the small intestine of the host is affected leading to chronic symptoms such as diarrhea, malabsorption or weight loss. It is primarily reported in the Southeast Asia region however it has low reported cases. Areas with bad sanitation and raw fish consumption report higher rates of the disease due to the presence of the larvae in those areas.
Fig.1 Life cycle of Capillaria philippinensis. (Hassan, M. A., et al., 2020)
Diagnosis Development of Capillariasis
Various diagnostic methods have been developed from traditional microscopy to molecular biology tools which help the clinician in capillariasis diagnosis. These diagnostic tests enhance accuracy and reduce the chances of cross reactivity. The following table describes the limitations, targets and methods of the diagnostic test methods in detail.
Table 1. Laboratory diagnosis of human intestinal capillariasis
|
Diagnostic approaches |
Methods |
Targets |
Remarks |
| Microscopy |
Stool; duodenal aspirate |
Characteristic eggs, larvae and adults |
Most commonly used test Limitation: Eggs may be confused with Trichuris trichiura eggs. |
| Serology |
Sandwich ELISA |
Coproantigen detection in stool |
Sensitive but lacks specificity due to cross-reactions with parasites like Fasciola gigantica, Clonorchis sinensis, and hydatid antigen. |
| ICT |
Antibody detection by using Trichinella spiralis antigen |
Rapid results with 100% sensitivity, but cross-reacts with trichuriasis, gnathostomiasis, angiostrongyloidiasis, and is not widely available. |
| Molecular methods |
ASP-2, TS, TSA-1 |
SSU r DNA |
Highly sensitive and specific, but technically demanding with limited availability. |
Vaccine Development for Capillariasis
Studies focusing on vaccine development to combat capillariasis are only beginning to be undertaken, with initial efforts focusing upon basic investigations and preclinical trials in animal subjects. Areas of focus include:
- Antigen Identification: Employing molecular biology methods, immunogenic proteins such as surface antigens and secreted proteins from the Capillaria species are identified.
- Immune Mechanism Exploration: There is a need in this case to study how the host immune system reacts to a Capillaria infection in order to determine which factors confer immune protection.
- Animal Model Development: To evaluate infection patterns and vaccine candidates it is important to develop good animal models: mice, rabbits etc.
Our Services
At our company, we are proud to offer a comprehensive suite of services to support our clients in the development of innovative capillariasis 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 Capillariasis
Our group is well trained in capillariasis as we design and develop animal models that closely replicate the features of the disease and its therapeutic outcomes. They are effective in determining the pathophysiology of capillariasis more accurately and also test and evaluate the safety as well as efficacy of possible treatments for the disease.
Pathogen Infection Models
Pathogen Infection Models are biological systems used in research to study the interactions between pathogens and hosts without manipulating or altering the host organism's genetic material.
Optional Models: Capillaria philippinensis-Infected Mouse Model; Capillaria hepatica-Infected Syrian Hamster Mode
Humanized Models
Humanized Models are biological systems used in research that involve the introduction of human cells or tissues without altering the host organism's genetic material.
Optional Models: BLT (Bone Marrow-Liver-Thymus) Humanized Mouse Model; hPBMC Engrafted NSG Mouse Model
As a part of capillariasis therapy development, we focus on finding and developing novel small molecules, peptides, and biologics which target virulence factors. We also provide a wide array of services aimed at evaluating and optimizing your therapeutic pipeline.
If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- Kidner, R. Q., et al. "Lipids from a Snail Host Regulate the Multicellular Behavior of a Predator of Parasitic Schistosomes." iScience 27.9 (2024): 110724.
- Hassan, M. A., et al. "Antigen Recognition Patterns of Intestinal Capillariasis Using Immunoblot-Based Serodiagnosis." Acta Parasitol 65.4 (2020): 899-905.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
