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 stagesStrain‐Dependent Induction of Human Enterocyte Apoptosis by Blastocystis Disrupts Epithelial Barrier and ZO‐1 Organization in a Caspase 3‐ and 9‐Dependent Manner
Wu Z, Mirza H, Teo JD, Tan KS. Strain‐Dependent Induction of Human Enterocyte Apoptosis by Blastocystis Disrupts Epithelial Barrier and ZO‐1 Organization in a Caspase 3‐ and 9‐Dependent Manner. BioMed Research International 2014, 2014: 209163. PMID: 24822183, PMCID: PMC4009109, DOI: 10.1155/2014/209163.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEpithelial barrier compromiseEnterocyte apoptosisHuman colonic epithelial cell line Caco-2Barrier compromiseHuman intestinal epithelial barrier functionIntestinal epithelial barrier functionHuman intestineBlastocystis subtype 7Epithelial cell line Caco-2Caspase-3ST-7Epithelial barrier functionZO-1 organizationStrain-dependent inductionCell line Caco-2Caco-2 monolayersAbdominal painIntestinal symptomsPan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMKEpithelial permeabilitySubtype 7Subtype 4Epithelial barrierEpithelial resistanceBarrier function
2012
Statin 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
2008
Blastocystis exhibits inter- and intra-subtype variation in cysteine protease activity
Mirza H, Tan KS. Blastocystis exhibits inter- and intra-subtype variation in cysteine protease activity. Parasitology Research 2008, 104: 355-361. PMID: 18846388, DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1203-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCysteine protease activityIntra-subtype variationRodent isolatesIL-8 responseColonic epithelial cellsHuman secretory IgAClinical studiesSecretory IgAAnimal modelsNon-virulent strainsProtease activityBlastocystis subtypesCysteine proteasesEpithelial cellsGiardia intestinalisCellular mechanismsZoonotic potentialBlastocystisEntamoeba histolyticaAvian isolatesPresent studyIsolatesSame isolatesParasitesIgA