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
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