Molecular characterization of Toxocara spp. from soil of public areas in Ahvaz southwestern Iran

In the present study, the microscopy and polymerase chain reaction methods were used for detection and identification of soil contamination by Toxocara eggs in squares, streets, public parks, and rubbish dumps in Ahvaz, southwestern Iran. A total of 210 soil samples were collected from different parts of the city and examined by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, following sodium nitrate flotation. Nucleotide sequencing was performed to confirm the results of the PCR method. Toxocara eggs were found in 64 and 71 soil samples using the microscopy and PCR methods, respectively. The highest contamination rate was observed in the central part of Ahvaz (39.5% and 46.5% by the microscopy and PCR methods, respectively). Based on internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) PCR identification, 28% of the samples were diagnosed as Toxocara cati and 5.7% as Toxocara canis; no mixed contamination was observed. DNA sequencing of the ITS2 gene confirmed our findings. Compared to the conventional microscopic detection following by flotation, used as the gold standard, the PCR method appears to be rapid and sensitive as well as allows analysis of Toxocara spp. isolated from soil independent of the stage of egg development. Therefore, the PCR method appears to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and differentiation of Toxocara spp. from soil samples in epidemiological studies, and will help the local health systems in effective prevention and control of diseas

Toxoplasmosis in Patients with Cardiac Disorders: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Toxoplasmosis is a common and serious infection caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. This study investigated the possible association between heart failure and toxoplasmosis. We searched for toxoplasmosis and heart failure patients in English databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Sciences, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Google Scholar up to June 2018. A total of 6 studies and 1,795 participants, comprising 934 cases and 861 controls, had acceptable criteria for entering the study. Im­munoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 53% (22 to 83) of patients with heart diseases and 26% (11 to 42) of healthy controls. In comparison, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 0.5% (0.1 to 1) in patients with heart diseases and 0.3% (0 to 0.7) of healthy controls. The patients suffering from cardiac disorders were more significantly correlated to anti-T. gondii IgG (OR: 3.53; 95% CI, 2.27 to 5.47; P = 0.014) and IgM (OR: 1.80; 95% CI, 0.31 to 10.4; P = 0.028) seropositivity than healthy controls. Despite limitations such as the low number of studies, our research showed a high association between toxoplasmosis and cardiac disorders. Therefore, toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor in cardiac patients, and more studies are being done

Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from birds in the southwest of Iran

1. The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and genetically analyse isolates from a number of avian hosts in the southwest of Iran (Khuzestan province). The frequency of T. gondii was determined in free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus), sparrows (Passer domesticus), pigeons (Columba livia) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). 2. Isolates obtained from Toxoplasma-infected birds were subjected to molecular typing by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with sequence analysis of the GRA6 gene. 3. The results showed that 41 (16·5%) of 241 samples of avian tissue were infected with T. gondii. Sparrows were most frequently infected (17 out of 64). 4. Analysis of the GRA6 gene by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing revealed Type II and III T. gondii were the predominant lineage, accounting for 19·5% and 80·5% of the isolates, respectively. 5. It was concluded that the use of this PCR test facilitated the diagnosis of T. gondii in avian hosts and the GRA6 PCR-RFLP method clearly differentiated between the three different T. gondii lineages. This study showed a higher prevalence of type III compared with type II T. gondii in infected avian hosts in southwestern Iran. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from birds in the southwest of Iran (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235748469_Detection_and_genotyping_of_Toxoplasma_gondii_strains_isolated_from_birds_in_the_southwest_of_Iran [accessed Dec 09 2017]

Enhancing coronary artery diseases screening:A comprehensive assessment of machine learning approaches using routine clinical and laboratory data

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) stands among the leading global causes of mortality, underscoring the critical necessity for early detection to facilitate effective treatment. Although Coronary Angiography (CA) serves as the gold standard for diagnosis, its limitations for screening, including side effects and cost, necessitate alternative approaches. This study focuses on the development and comparison of machine learning techniques as substitutes for CA in CAD screening, leveraging routine clinical and laboratory data. Material and Methods: Various machine learning classification algorithms—decision tree, k-nearest neighbor, artificial neural network, support vector machine, logistic regression, and stacked ensemble learning were employed to differentiate CAD and healthy subjects. Feature selection algorithms, namely LASSO and ReliefF, were utilized to prioritize relevant features. A range of evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, AUC, F1 score, ROC curve, and NPV, were applied. The SHAP technique was employed to elucidate and interpret the artificial neural network model. Results: The artificial neural network, support vector machine, and stacked ensemble learning models demonstrated excellent results in a 10-fold cross-validation evaluation using features selected by LASSO and ReliefF. With the LASSO feature selection algorithm, these models achieved accuracies of 90.38%, 90.07%, and 90.39%, sensitivities of 94.43%, 93.03%, and 93.96%, and specificities of 80.27%, 82.77%, and 81.52%, respectively. Using ReliefF, the accuracies were 88.79%, 88.77%, and 90.06%, sensitivities were 92.12%, 91.66%, and 93.98%, and specificities were 80.13%, 81.38%, and 80.13%, respectively. The SHAP technique revealed that typical and atypical chest pain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, T inversion, and age were the most influential features in the neural network model. Conclusion: The machine learning models developed in this study exhibit high potential for non-invasive screening and diagnosis of CAD in the Z-Alizadeh Sani dataset. However, further studies are essential to validate and apply these models in real-world and clinical settings.</p

Frequency of Toxoplasma and Toxocara Sp. Antibodies in Epileptic Patients, in South Western Iran

How to Cite This Article: Allahdin S, Khademvatan S, Rafiei A, Momen AA, Rafiei R. Frequency of Toxoplasma and Toxocara Sp. Antibodies in Epileptic Patients, in South Western Iran. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2015;9(4):32-40.AbstractObjectiveEpilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate seizures. Infectious agents are mentioned in its etiology. With identifying and appropriate treatment of these infectious agents, preventing their secondary outcomes, including seizure is possible. This study was conducted to determine frequency of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG, IgM) and anti- Toxocara antibody (IgG) in epileptic patients.Materials &amp; MethodsStudy sample consisted of 141 epileptic patients and 144 healthy people. After obtaining informed consents and completing demographic questionnaire, serum samples were taken from participants. The diagnostic test of Toxoplasma IgG &amp; IgM and Toxocara antibodies was performed under the same conditions using ELISA method in a qualified private laboratory. Samples from patients and control groups with positive ELISA test in terms of anti-Toxocara antibody were also used for confirmatory Western blot test.ResultAccording to ELISA results, 28 (19.85%) epileptic patients and 2(1.38%) of healthy people had anti-Toxocara antibodies (P&lt;001), while 39 (30.46%) of the control group people and 14.18% of patients had anti-Toxoplsma antibodies (P=0.001).ConclusionFrequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii is lower in epileptic than healthy individuals and this result is contrary to investigations that have reported higher levels of this antibody in such patient groups. ELISA results for Toxocara showed that the frequency of anti-Toxocara antibody in epileptic patients might empower the probability that this parasite may cause central nervous system damage. Westernblotting has high specificity and is a proper confirmative method for diagnosis of toxocariasis

PCR-based molecular characterization of Toxocara spp. using feces of stray cats: a study from Southwest Iran

Abstract Feces of stray cat are potential sources of gastrointestinal parasites and play a crucial role in spreading and transmitting parasite eggs, larvae, and oocysts through contamination of soil, food, or water. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection in stray cats in Ahvaz city, southwest Iran. Eggs of Toxocara spp. in feces of stray cats were detected by the sucrose flotation method, and identification was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. Of the 140 fecal samples that were randomly collected from public environments during the months of January to May 2012, 45% were found to harbour Toxocara spp. eggs. The highest prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs was found in the central area of Ahvaz city (28.6%). T. canis eggs were found in 4 (6.34%) of the 63 positive samples. Stray cats are found in parks, playgrounds, and other public places and may be a potential contamination risk. Identification of Toxocara spp. using molecular methods is sufficiently sensitive to detect low levels of parasites and identify the different Toxocara spp. in feces. The relatively high prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection may continue to increase due to lack of effective environmental hygiene control in Iran. Consequently, there is a need to plan adequate programs to detect, identify, and control this infection as well as stray cats in the region

Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from soil in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran

Abstract To detection and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from soil in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. Between August 2011 and May 2012 at different sites located in the area of the Ahvaz city south west Iran. A total of 200 soil samples were taken from different points of the region. Oocysts were recovered using the flotation method. Then, PCR reactions targeting the GRA6 gene were performed for specific T. gondii detection. The positive samples were studied by RFLP (random amplified fragment length polymorphism) using MseI enzymes to confirm the parasite linage. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 18 samples. Among them, 12 samples were successfully genotyped as GRA6 type III and 6 as GRA6 Type II. This is the first investigation detecting and genotyping T. gondii oocyst in environmental soil samples of Ahvaz, South west of Iran. The results of this study indicated that soil contaminated with T. gondii oocysts especially in public park may play a role in the epidemiology of human toxoplasmosis in southwest of Iran

Stray Cats Gastrointestinal Parasites and its Association With Public Health in Ahvaz City, South Western of Iran

Background: Cats are the hosts for some zoonotic parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. which are important in medicine and veterinary. Studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of cats have received little attention in south west of Iran. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of parasites in stray cats in Ahvaz. Materials and Methods: Random sampling was carried out from January to May 2012. One hundred and forty fecal samples from stray cats were examined using sucrose flotation method. Results: Gastrointestinal parasites were found in 121 of the 140 (86.4%) examined samples. The parasites detected in stray cats were Toxocara spp. (45%, 63/140), Isospora spp. (21.4%, 30/140), nematode larvae (21.4%, 30/140), Taenia spp. (18.6%, 26/140), Sarcocystis spp. (17.1%, 24/140), Eimeria spp. (15%, 21/140), Blastocystis spp. (14.3%, 20/140), Giardia spp, (10.7%, 15/140), Physaloptera spp. (7.1%, 10/140), and amoeba cyst (5.7%, 8/140) respectively. The prevalence of infection by Joyexiella spp. and hook worms (4.3%, 6/140), for example, Dipylidium caninum (2.9%, 4/140) was similar; and the prevalence of infection by T. gondii and Dicrocoelium dendriticum was similar (1.4%, 2/140). Conclusions: Since the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites such as Toxocara spp. in stray cats is high, there is a need to plan adequate programs to control these zoonotic parasites

The Effect of Garlic Extract on Expression of INFγ And Inos Genes in Macrophages Infected with Leishmania major

Background: The study was aimed to show the effect of molecular mechanism of Aqueous Garlic Extract (AGE) on expression of IFNγ and iNOS genes in Leishmania major.Methods: Leishmania major promastigotes (MRHO/IR/75/ER) were added to the in-vitro cultured J774 cell line, the cells were incubated for 72 hours. Various concentrations of garlic extract (9.25, 18.5, 37, 74, 148 mg/ml) were added to the infected cells. MTT assay was applied for cellular proliferation. After 72 hours of incubation, supernatants were collected and total RNA was extracted from the infected cells. The express of IFNγ and iNOS genes were studied by RT-PCR method.Results: The colorimetric MTT assay after 3 days of incubation showed cytotoxic effect of garlic extract with an IC50 of 37 mg/ml. In addition, IFNγ and iNOS genes expression by RT-PCR indicated that garlic extract lead to over expression of these genes in J774 cell line infected with L. major.Conclusion: Garlic extract exerts cytotoxic effect on infected J774 cell line. In addition, the hypothesis that garlic can improve cellular immunity with raising the expression of IFNγ and of iNOS genes con­firmed

Rolling up the pieces of a puzzle: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran

Toxoplasmosis is a neglected parasitic disease with global distribution in warm-blooded vertebrates and high prevalence among different human societies. We contrived a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran. Following the general methodology recommended for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, four English and three Persian electronic databases were explored up to April 2016. Out of 105,139 examined samples of different hosts, the weighted overall prevalence was 37% (95% CI = 31–43). Due to the significant heterogeneity (I2 = 81.9%) the random-effects model was used. The pool estimated prevalence of toxoplasmosis in human intermediate hosts, animal intermediate hosts, and definitive hosts was 43% (95% CI = 38–47), 26 (95% CI = 17–35) and, 34% (95% CI = 22–46), respectively. Our results represent that regular inspection in food industries, improved screening programs using standard diagnostic assay as well as distinguishing toxoplasmosis condition in other zoonotic hosts are extremely recommended for better disease management in Iran.Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Prevalence, Iran, Systematic review, Meta-analysi