Abstract
Parasites cause numerous health issues in humans, eventually leading to significant social and economic damage; however, the mechanisms of parasite-mediated pathogenesis are not well understood. Nevertheless, it is clearly evidenced that cancerogenic fluke-induced chronic inflammations and cancer are closely associated with oxidative stress. (1) Methods: The Paragonimus heterotremus infection's genotoxic potential was assessed in a rat model of simultaneous pulmonary and hepatic paragonimiasis by the alkaline version of single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Statistical analysis of comet parameters was based on the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. (2) Results: A clear and statistically significant increase in DNA damage was detected in the helminth-exposed group versus the control rats and the tissue areas adjacent to the parasite capsule versus remote ones; however, differences in DNA damage patterns between different tissues were not statistically significant. Infection resulted in up to 40% cells with DNA damage and an increased genetic damage index. (3) Conclusions: The data obtained contribute to understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms of paragonimiasis, suggesting oxidative stress as the most likely reason for DNA breaks; these findings allow us to consider P. heterotremus as a potentially cancerogenic species, and they are important for the monitoring and treatment of paragonimiasis.