Potential Threadworm Blocker Could Halt Skin Penetration
Threadworms, a type of parasitic nematode, are notorious for their ability to burrow into human skin, causing infections that affect millions globally. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have made a groundbreaking discovery on how these pests identify the best entry points. Their findings could pave the way for new methods to prevent threadworm infections.
In a study published in Nature Communications, the team, led by Elissa Hallem, a UCLA professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, found that threadworms spend up to 10 minutes exploring the surface of human skin before finding the optimal spot to burrow. Interestingly, these worms rely on dopamine signaling to drive their penetration attempts. Dopamine, commonly known for its role in human pleasure and reward, functions quite differently in these parasites.
By disrupting a specific dopamine-sensing pathway, the worms practically lose their interest in burrowing. This discovery suggests that a topical application that blocks this pathway could act as a deterrent, much like DEET repels mosquitoes.
The team's work involved genetic manipulation of the worms to make them fluorescent, allowing Ruhi Patel, a postdoctoral researcher, to observe their behavior under a microscope. The experiments revealed that when the gene encoding the TRP-4 ion channel was altered, the worms struggled to penetrate the skin. Notably, this channel is absent in humans, suggesting that blocking it could be a safe method to prevent infections.
Worldwide, over 600 million people are affected by the threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis, predominantly in regions with inadequate sanitation. These worms enter the skin from contaminated ground, completing a life cycle that can severely impact human health.
Despite these promising findings, research progress is currently hindered by the suspension of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, which has been vital for Hallem's lab operations. Without this support, continuing the research and maintaining the nematode strains poses a significant challenge.
As the scientific community explores this potential breakthrough, it underscores the critical need for sustained funding to translate these findings into practical solutions that could significantly reduce threadworm infections worldwide.