Prevalence and Diffusion of Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections in Swamp Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Populations from Marshlands of Iraq

Background and objectives: New information on the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infection in water buffaloes is crucial for understanding their risk factors and transmission. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of GI parasites in buffaloes in the Marshland areas of southern Iraq, and (2) to evaluate the association of risk factors with the parasitic infections.Materials and Methods: A total of 166 water buffaloes from the Marshland in the north of Basra (n=75), and Thi-Qar (n=91) provinces from November 2016 to April 2017 were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected and examined for the presence of helminth eggs and protozoal oocysts using sedimentation-flotation and centrifugal flotation techniques.Results: The overall prevalence of infection in buffaloes was 82% (136/166), with the highest number of single parasite infection (64%), followed by those with double (29%) and triple (7%) parasite infections. The most frequently identified parasites were Fasciola spp. (23%, 39/166), Eimeria spp. (19%, 32/166), Toxocara vitulorum (13%, 21/166), Trichostrongylus spp. (12%, 20/166), and Oesophagostomum spp. (10%, 10/166). Moniezia spp. was the only identified cestode with a prevalence of (8%, 13/166). A significant association was reported between feeding type and parasitic infections with Eimeria spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Moniezia spp., Trichuris spp., and Ostertagia ostertagia.Conclusion: The prevalence of GI parasitic infection in buffaloes raised in the Marshlands is high, indicating a high intensity of natural infection. The findings of this study imply an urgent need for the implementation of efficient control measures against parasitic infections in the Marshlands

Whipworms in humans and pigs: origins and demography

© 2016 Hawash et al. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. The attached file is the published version of the article.NHM Repositor

CD38 and ZAP-70 as prognostic immunological parameters in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Background: Several immunological parameters have been investigated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Some of them are important in detecting the prognosis of the disease. Objectives : the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of ZAP-70 and CD38 in patients with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Materials and methods: The study was done on 50 patients with newly diagnosis CLL 36 male and 14 female. CD38 and ZAP-70 were measured in patients by using flow cytometry. These patients were divided according to Ria stage into 29 patients with group II, 21 patients with group I, group I included Rai stage O, I, II in which the RBC and platelet counts are normal while group II included Rai stage III and IV in which RBC and platelet count are low. Results: ZAP-70 and CD38 were significantly increased in patients with group II when compared to group I. ZAP-70 and CD38 may be regarded as bad prognosis factor for CLL patients. Conclusion: From the results of the current study, we conclude that ZAP-70 and CD38 high level in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with bad prognosi

Prevalence Rate of Isolated Cryptosporidium Spp. of Broiler Chicken in Al-Qadisiyah Province

This study has been carried out to determined the prevalence rate of cryptosporidiosis in broiler flocks. 150 fecal samples from 30 broiler flocks (5 samples for each flock) in different areas of AL-Qadisiyah province were used. They were collected starting of January till November 2016 with two age groups of chickens, (10-15 and 30-35) days old. Samples were examined with Modified Ziel -Neelsen stain to detect the positive samples by microscopic examination. After that, a nested-PCR technique was performed on 60 samples. Results of microscopic examination showed that total infection rate of Cryptosporidium was 29.33% . The highest rates of infection were recorded in 10-15 days group and during spring season, infection rates reached were 35.71% and 34.28% respectively. The lowest rates were observed in 30-35 days group and during summer season were 23.75% and 20% respectively. No significant differences within percentage in both two age group or among percentage in seasons at level (P In conclusion, cryptosporidiosis is widespread in broiler flocks in AL-Qadisiyah province, but there is no significant impact found concerning the relationship between infection rates and age of chickens or seasons of the year.

Exclusion of IgD‐, IgT‐ and IgM‐positive immune cells in Ichthyophonus‐induced granulomas in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

ParaFishControl is coordinated by Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).Ichthyophonus (Plehn & Mulsow) is a protistan fish parasite with a broad host range (Ragan et al. 1996). It infects marine and freshwater fish species worldwide and produces a granulomatous systemic disease in vascularized organs such as heart, liver and kidney (Spanggaard et al. 1994; McVicar 1999). The susceptibility of various fish species is considerably variable. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus L.) are highly susceptible (Rahimian & Thulin 1996), while rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) show a medium level of susceptibility and catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus Lesueur) are relatively resistant to this parasite (McVicar 1982, 1999). The main characteristics of the infection are multinucleated spherical parasite cells with a double wall and the tissue around the parasite contains inflammatory cells early in the infection, whereas fibrous tissue dominates late in the infection (McVicar & Maclay 1985; Franco‐Sierra & Alvarez‐Pellitero 1999; McVicar 1999). Despite the numerous histopathological studies conducted, we have no information about specific lymphocytes involved with Ichthyophonus in rainbow trout. In teleost fish, different B lymphocyte subsets can be found defined by their expression of immunoglobulin types (Igs) present in fish.The present work was supported by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 grant H2020‐634429 ParaFishControl – Advanced tools and research strategies for parasite control in European farmed fish.Peer reviewe

Extrusion of Contracaecum osculatum nematode larvae from the liver of cod (Gadus morhua)

ParaFishControl is coordinated by Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).Baltic cod livers have during recent years been found increasingly and heavily infected with third-stage larvae of Contracaecum osculatum. The infections are associated with an increasing population of grey seals which are final hosts for the parasite. Heavy worm burdens challenge utilization and safety of the fish liver products, and technological solutions for removal of worms are highly needed. We investigated the attachment of the worm larvae in liver tissue by use of histochemical techniques and found that the cod host encapsulates the worm larvae in layers of host cells (macrophages, fibroblasts) supported by enclosures of collagen and calcium. A series of incubation techniques, applying compounds targeting molecules in the capsule, were then tested for their effect to induce worm escape/release reactions. Full digestion solutions comprising pepsin, NaCl, HCl and water induced a fast escape of more than 60% of the worm larvae within 20 min and gave full release within 65 min but the liver tissue became highly dispersed. HCl alone, in concentrations of 48 and 72 mM, triggered a corresponding release of worm larvae with minor effect on liver integrity. A lower HCl concentration of 24 mM resulted in 80% release within 35 min. Water and physiological saline had no effect on worm release, and 1% pepsin in water elicited merely a weak escape reaction. In addition to the direct effect of acid on worm behaviour it is hypothesised that the acid effect on calcium carbonate in the encapsulation, with subsequent release of reaction products, may contribute to activation of C. osculatum larvae and induce escape reactions. Short-term pretreatment of infected cod liver and possibly other infected fish products, using low acid concentrations is suggested as part of a technological solution for worm clearance as low acid concentrations had limited macroscopic effect on liver integrity within 35 min.The present study was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme through the grant agreement No. 634429 (Parafishcontrol).Peer reviewe

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) immune response towards a recombinant vaccine targeting the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

ParaFishControl is coordinated by Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).The protective effect in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) of an experimental subunit vaccine targeting antigens in the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis has been evaluated and compared to effects elicited by a classical parasite homogenate vaccine. Three recombinant parasite proteins (two produced in E. coli and one in insect cells) were combined and injected i.p., and subsequently, protection and antibody responses were analysed. Both the experimental and the benchmark vaccine induced partial but significant protection against I. multifiliis when compared to control fish. Specific antibody responses of vaccinated trout (subunit vaccine) were raised against one neurohypophysial n‐terminal domain protein #10 of three recombinant proteins, whereas the benchmark vaccine group showed specific antibody production against all three recombinant proteins. The immunogenic parasite protein #10 may be a potential vaccine candidate supplementing the protective I‐antigen in future vaccine trials.H2020 Food. Grant Number: 634429. The Danish Council for Independent Research (FTP). Grant Number: 0602‐02567B.Peer reviewe