2014
Intra-Subtype Variation in Enteroadhesion Accounts for Differences in Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Is Associated with Metronidazole Resistance in Blastocystis Subtype-7
Wu Z, Mirza H, Tan KS. Intra-Subtype Variation in Enteroadhesion Accounts for Differences in Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Is Associated with Metronidazole Resistance in Blastocystis Subtype-7. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2014, 8: e2885. PMID: 24851944, PMCID: PMC4031124, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002885.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEpithelial barrier disruptionBarrier disruptionDrug resistanceBlastocystis subtype 7Intra-subtype variationOccludin tight junction proteinsEpithelial barrier dysfunctionDiverse clinical outcomesParasite virulence factorsTight junction proteinsCaco-2 cellsClinical outcomesBarrier dysfunctionIntestinal disordersMetronidazole resistanceBlastocystis infectionSubtype 7Metronidazole susceptibilityHost responseIntestinal epitheliumEnteric pathogensNitrosative stressResistant strainsJunction proteinsLuminal stages
2012
Clinical Aspects of Blastocystis Infections: Advancements Amidst Controversies
Mirza H, Tan K. Clinical Aspects of Blastocystis Infections: Advancements Amidst Controversies. Parasitology Research Monographs 2012, 4: 65-84. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-32738-4_5.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersBlastocystis infectionParasite subtypeClinical presentationLuminal parasitesChronic abdominal discomfortIrritable bowel syndromeTreatment of choiceNovel treatment optionsDiverse clinical presentationsHuman stool samplesAbdominal discomfortBowel syndromeAcute diarrheaTreatment failureAsymptomatic carriageClinical manifestationsTreatment optionsCancer patientsImmunocompromised populationsClinical managementClassical diagnostic techniquesStool samplesTreatment outcomesClinical aspectsAnimal contactStatin pleiotropy prevents rho kinase‐mediated intestinal epithelial barrier compromise induced by Blastocystis cysteine proteases
Mirza H, Wu Z, Teo JD, Tan KS. Statin pleiotropy prevents rho kinase‐mediated intestinal epithelial barrier compromise induced by Blastocystis cysteine proteases. Cellular Microbiology 2012, 14: 1474-1484. PMID: 22587300, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2012.01814.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsZonula occludens-1Intestinal epithelial barrier functionEpithelial barrier functionEpithelial permeabilityIntestinal infectionsFluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran fluxHuman colonic epithelial monolayersTherapeutic potentialHMG-CoA reductaseHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatinBarrier functionChronic intestinal infectionCytoskeletal F-actinIntestinal epithelial permeabilityReductase inhibitor simvastatinColonic epithelial monolayersIntestinal epithelial barrierTransepithelial resistanceTight junctional ZO-1Myosin light chain phosphorylationParasite cysteine proteasesSymptomatic patientsIntestinal pathologyCysteine proteasesBlastocystis infection
2011
A Metronidazole-Resistant Isolate of Blastocystis spp. Is Susceptible to Nitric Oxide and Downregulates Intestinal Epithelial Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by a Novel Parasite Survival Mechanism
Mirza H, Wu Z, Kidwai F, Tan KS. A Metronidazole-Resistant Isolate of Blastocystis spp. Is Susceptible to Nitric Oxide and Downregulates Intestinal Epithelial Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by a Novel Parasite Survival Mechanism. Infection And Immunity 2011, 79: 5019-5026. PMID: 21930763, PMCID: PMC3232666, DOI: 10.1128/iai.05632-11.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInducible nitric oxide synthaseMetronidazole-resistant isolatesNitric oxide synthaseNitric oxideOxide synthaseBlastocystis infectionEpithelial inducible nitric oxide synthaseST-7Dose-dependent inhibitionHost innate responseHuman intestinal epitheliumHost defense mechanismsIntestinal epithelial cellsLuminal pathogensAbdominal painIntestinal symptomsImmunocompetent patientsST-4Caco-2 modelChronic infectionControversial pathogenesisInnate responseNO productionBlastocystis sppIntestinal epithelium
2010
A Rapid, High-Throughput Viability Assay for Blastocystis spp. Reveals Metronidazole Resistance and Extensive Subtype-Dependent Variations in Drug Susceptibilities
Mirza H, Teo JD, Upcroft J, Tan KS. A Rapid, High-Throughput Viability Assay for Blastocystis spp. Reveals Metronidazole Resistance and Extensive Subtype-Dependent Variations in Drug Susceptibilities. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2010, 55: 637-648. PMID: 21098237, PMCID: PMC3028762, DOI: 10.1128/aac.00900-10.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment failureBlastocystis infectionBlastocystis sppNew treatment optionsDrug-resistant isolatesStandard therapyTreatment regimensTreatment optionsMetronidazole resistanceControversial pathogenesisSubtype 4Drug susceptibilityImportant subtypeDrug sensitivitySubtypesStandard antimicrobialsInfectionZoonotic subtypesViability assaysPresent studyParasitesFirst studyCotrimoxazoleRegimensFailure