Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and immunological status of HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy in Nyanya General Hospital Abuja, Nigeria

Intestinal parasites, especially in HIV/AIDS patients, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and the immune status of HIV/AIDS patients on ART. Two hundred (200) HIV/AIDS patients were recruited from the ART clinic at Nyanya General Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria, for this cross-sectional institution-based research. To collect detailed demographic data, questionnaires were sent out. The direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, and adjusted Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used to analyze stool samples. Patients' records were analyzed during this study period to assess their CD4+ T-cell count and viral load status. The findings were compared using a contingency table analysis and the chi-square test. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare quantitative data sets. P value of 0.05 was described as statistically significant (P≤0.05).The findings of our study were 80 (40 percent) of the patients had intestinal parasitosis, with 11 (13.8 percent) of them having multiple parasitosis. Cryptosporidium parvum had the highest prevalence (16%), Entamoeba histolytica /dispar (13%), Giardia lamblia (7%), and Entamoeba coli (3.5%). Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Cystoisospora belli each had a prevalence of 2.5 percent. The findings revealed that diarrhoea was linked to cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and cystoisosporiasis. In this study, there was no correlation between intestinal parasitosis and immune system function. In HIV/AIDS patients, prolonged and untreated diarrhoea can be crippling and fatal

Economic benefits and costs of surgery for filarial hydrocele in Malawi

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 72 countries of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. An estimated 25 million men live with the disabling effects of filarial hydrocele. Hydrocele can be corrected with surgery with few complications. For most men, hydrocelectomy reduces or corrects filarial hydrocele and permits them to resume regular activities of daily living and gainful employment. Methodology and principal findings This study measures the economic loss due to filarial hydrocele and the benefits of hydrocelectomy and is based on pre- and post-operative surveys of patients in southern Malawi. We find the average number of days of work lost due to filarial hydrocele and daily earnings for men in rural Malawi. We calculate average annual lost earnings and find the present discounted value for all years from the time of surgery to the end of working life. We estimate the total costs of surgery. We compare the benefit of the work capacity restored to the costs of surgery to determine the benefit-cost ratio. For men younger than 65 years old, the average annual earnings loss attributed to hydrocele is US$126. The average discounted present value of lifetime earnings loss for those men is US$1684. The average budgetary cost of the hydrocelectomy is US$68. The ratio of the benefit of surgery to its costs is US$1684/US$68 or 24.8. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the results are robust to variations in cost of surgery and length of working life. Conclusion The lifetime benefits of hydrocelectomy–to the man, his family, and his community–far exceed the costs of repairing the hydrocele. Scaling up subsidies to hydrocelectomy campaigns should be a priority for governments and international aid organizations to prevent and alleviate disability and lost earnings that aggravate poverty among the many millions of men with filarial hydrocele

Metagenomic profiling of ticks: Identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick-borne canine parvovirus

Background: Across the world, ticks act as vectors of human and animal pathogens. Ticks rely on bacterial endosymbionts, which often share close and complex evolutionary links with tick-borne pathogens. As the prevalence, diversity and virulence potential of tick-borne agents remain poorly understood, there is a pressing need for microbial surveillance of ticks as potential disease vectors. Methodology/Principal Findings: We developed a two-stage protocol that includes 16S-amplicon screening of pooled samples of hard ticks collected from dogs, sheep and camels in Palestine, followed by shotgun metagenomics on individual ticks to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. Two ticks isolated from sheep yielded an abundance of reads from the genus Rickettsia, which were assembled into draft genomes. One of the resulting genomes was highly similar to Rickettsia massiliae strain MTU5. Analysis of signature genes showed that the other represents the first genome sequence of the potential pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae. Ticks from a dog and a sheep yielded draft genome sequences of Coxiella strains. A sheep tick yielded sequences from the sheep pathogen Anaplasma ovis, while Hyalomma ticks from camels yielded sequences belonging to Francisella-like endosymbionts. From the metagenome of a dog tick from Jericho, we generated a genome sequence of a canine parvovirus. Significance: Here, we have shown how a cost-effective two-stage protocol can be used to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. In recovering genome sequences from an unexpected pathogen (canine parvovirus) and a previously unsequenced pathogen (Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae), we demonstrate the open-ended nature of metagenomics. We also provide evidence that ticks can carry canine parvovirus, raising the possibility that ticks might contribute to the spread of this troublesome virus

International recommendations for an effective control of head louse infestations

Head louse infestations continue to be a concern of public health in most countries, including the most developed ones. The present recommendations are intended to inform and stress the role and impact of the different authorities, institutions, industry, and the public in the control of head lice in order to reduce the prevalence of this parasite. We encourage health authorities to pursue more effective methods to correctly identify such infestations, and evaluate existing and new pediculicides, medical devices, louse repellents, and louse- and nit-removal remedies. Pediculicides and medical devices must have verifiable claims in the instructions for use and should be tested periodically to document current levels of resistance by lice to the active ingredients and to the formulated products. Where the prevalence of lice is claimed to be epidemic, children should be periodically evaluated objectively to document the actual level of prevalence. Continuing education for health providers and the general population promises to correct misinformation regarding the biology, prevention, and management of lice. Parents should regularly inspect their children for head lice and treat as necessary. Health authorities are encouraged to eliminate policies and practices that rely upon school exclusion as a means to reduce incidence and prevalence, e.g., the ‘no-nit’ policy which lacks scientific justification, and are counterproductive to the health and welfare of childrenFil: Mumcuoglu, Kosta Y.. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; IsraelFil: Pollack, Richard J.. Harvard University; Estados UnidosFil: Reed, David L.. University Of Florida. Florida Museum Of History; Estados UnidosFil: Barker, Stephen C.. University of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Gordon, Shirley. Florida Atlantic University; Estados UnidosFil: Toloza, Ariel Ceferino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Centro de Investigación de Plagas e Insecticidas; ArgentinaFil: Picollo, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Centro de Investigación de Plagas e Insecticidas; ArgentinaFil: Taylan Ozkan, Aysegul. Hitit University; Turquía. Near East University; ChipreFil: Chosidow, Olivier. Hôpital Henri Mondor; FranciaFil: Habedank, Birgit. German Environment Agency; AlemaniaFil: Ibarra, Joanna. Community Hygiene Concern; Reino UnidoFil: Meinking, Terri L.. Global Health Associates of Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Vander Stichele, Robert H.. Heymans Institute of Pharmacology; Bélgic

Usnic acid causes apoptotic-like death in Leishmania major, L. infantum and L. tropica

Cansaran-Duman, Demet/0000-0003-3759-6664; Ozkan, Aysegul Taylan/0000-0001-8421-3625; Derici, Mehmet Kursat/0000-0002-8260-7492; Cansaran Duman, Demet/0000-0001-5662-2333WOS: 000442748300002PubMed: 30148034Leishmaniasis, a deadly parasitic infection, threatens many people worldwide. Since the high cost, toxicity, and resistance are drawbacks of current treatment options, it is necessary to find safer and more effective new antileishmanial drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the antileishmanial activity of usnic acid and its apoptotic mechanism on Leishmania spp. promastigotes. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated by MTT assay and apoptosis-related gene expression was investigated by qRT-PCR. Usnic acid was to be effective against Leishmania major, L. infantum, and L. tropica promastigotes at IC50 =10.76 mu g/ml, 13.34 mu g/ml, and 21.06 mu g/ml, respectively. We also demonstrated a novel mechanism by which usnic acid inhibited proliferation and caused apoptosis; usnic acid upregulated p53, Bax, Casp-3, and Casp-9 gene expression and downregulated the level of Bcl-2 gene expression. Accordingly, the expression level of the P53 gene increased in L. major, L. infantum and L. tropica by 14.4-, 11.8-, and 9.5-fold, respectively, and in contrast, the Bcl-2 gene expression decreased in all three leishmaniasis by 0.8-, 0.8-, and 0.7-fold, respectively. The present study, therefore, revealed that usnic acid played a critical role in the usnic acid-induced apoptotic process in Leishmania species. Usnic acid is easily accessible and an inexpensive agent, and can be considered as an alternative therapeutic agent for Leishmania infections subject to further tests in animal models.Hitit UniversityHitit University [TIP19002.16.001]This study was supported by Hitit University (Grant no: TIP19002.16.001)

Pediatric Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum in Northern Cyprus

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease widespread in the Mediterranean basin, including Cyprus. During the last decades no cases were notified from northern Cyprus, but herein three cases of VL (female: 2, male: 1, median age: 24.6 months) diagnosed during their hospital admission between January 2011 and December 2012 are reported. Diagnosis was based on clinical findings; 1 ≥ 1/64 titer positivity of immunofluorescence antibodies, Leishmania amastigotes in Giemsa-stained slides of bone marrow, as well as molecular identification confirmed that in all three the infecting pathogen was Leishmania infantum Fever, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly were the typical clinical findings. First-line treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome(®); intravenous, 3 mg/kg) on days 1-5, followed by the same on days 10 and 21 yielded a successful outcome with no relapse in all cases. These confirmed VL cases found within 2 years demonstrate the presence of VL on the islan

Molecular identification of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in malaria infected women who received intermittent preventive treatment in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract Background Point mutations in Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes which confer resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) occur at increasing rates. The present study aimed to identify Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutations in P. falciparum isolates recovered from women who received two doses of SP during pregnancy in Bandundu, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods A total of 48 women with confirmed P. falciparum infection were enrolled in the study. Finger-prick blood samples that were collected on filter paper at the time of delivery were used for DNA isolation. Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes were amplified by a nested PCR protocol. DNA sequencing was performed on both strands, and the point mutations were analysed. Results All of the 48 (100.0%) P. falciparum isolates carried at least one polymorphism in both genes. The wild-type haplotypes of Pfdhfr (CNCSI [C50, N51, C59, S108, I164]) and Pfdhps (SAKAA [S436, A437, K540, A581, A613]) were not observed in the study. In Pfdhfr, N51I (85.4%), C59R (60.4%), and S108N (100.0%) polymorphisms were detected. Triple mutation (CIRNI) (mutant amino acids are underlined) was the most prevalent (47.9%) Pfdhfr haplotype. In the study, all P. falciparum isolates (100.0%) harboured the A437G allele in Pfdhps gene. Also, K540E and A581G polymorphisms were observed in one (2.1%) isolate. Single mutant haplotype (SGKAA) was detected in 97.9% of the isolates. Mutant Pfdhfr and Pfdhps allele combinations revealed quintuple (CICNI-SGEGA; 2.1%), quadruple (CIRNI-SGKAA; 47.9%), triple (CICNI-SGKAA; 35.4%, CNRNI-SGKAA; 12.5%), and double (CNCNI-SGKAA; 2.1%) haplotypes. Conclusions In the study, the rate of SGEGA haplotype was low (2.1%). Although K540E and A581G alleles are more common in Eastern Africa, a distinct lineage of SGEGA is also present in the DRC, which is located in Central Africa. This haplotype is associated with decreased efficacy of SP in pregnant women and infants, therefore, it should be carefully considered in the DRC and SP resistance should be routinely monitored

Leishmaniasis in northern Cyprus: Human cases and their association with risk factors

Background & objectives: Cyprus is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Region where leishmaniasis is endemic. The primary objective of this study was to investigate human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the northern region of Cyprus where presence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and sandflies has been documented in earlier studies. The secondary objective was to assess the association of leishmaniasis with demographic and epidemiological variables. Methods: Intravenous blood samples were collected from 249 volunteers in Kyrenia district (located in the northern coastal region of Cyprus). Whole blood samples were tested for DNA of Leishmania spp by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while serum samples were analyzed using direct agglutination test (DAT) and rK39 test. For evaluation of possible risk factors, a questionnaire was applied to the participants. Results: Only three (1.2%) of 249 participants were found seropositive by DAT (n = 2) or rK39 test (n = 1). The remaining samples were negative in serology, and no PCR positivity was detected in any of the 249 participants. Seven individuals, including the seropositive cases, had a history of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Seropositivity and CL were not significantly related with gender (M/F: 40.2/59.8%), age [Mean: 42.85 +/- 17.45, Median: 40 (7-86)], occupation (Indoor/Outdoor: 84.7/12.9%), dog ownership (52.6%), and CanL history (5.3%). However, a statistical association was found between seropositivity and past CL infection. Also, a significant relation was observed between participants living in peripheral area (63.1%) and CL infection. Furthermore, leishmaniasis awareness (28.1%) among the study population was statistically correlated with past CL infection and dog ownership. Interpretation & conclusion: This study demonstrates the presence of leishmaniasis and highlight the need for implementation of efficient control measures on the northern coast of Cypru

Influence of Maternal Toxoplasmosis on the Second-Trimester Aneuploidy Screening Test

Objective: With apoptosis being critical for the development and homeostasis of placental tissues, it is possible to hypothesize that accelerated trophoblastic apoptosis during pregnancy may result in a partial loss of trophoblastic activity or trophoblastic cell mass, and ultimately may alter the second-trimester screening test parameters. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of maternal toxoplasmosis on second-trimester aneuploidy screening tests. Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted with 552 pregnant women admitted to our University Hospital. The demographic data such as maternal age and weight; and the main parameters of second-trimester aneuploidy screening test including maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol (uE3) and human chorionic gonadotropin were analyzed with the comparison of their Toxoplasma immunoglobulin serology results. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 27.6 (17.0 - 43.0) years, and the mean maternal weight was estimated at 65.0 (40.0 - 120.0) kg. The pregnant women with positive Toxoplasma IgG antibody had a higher mean maternal age than those with negative Toxoplasma IgG antibody (p< 0.0001). No significant difference for the concentrations and MoM values of second-trimester screening test parameters in women with Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies was observed (p> 0.05, for all). Conclusion: Although IgG-seropositivity of toxoplasmosis may lead to an accelerated trophoblastic apoptosis during pregnancy, there is no significant influence on the second-trimester screening test results. There was no data regarding the unaffected population whom used for calculation of MoM, if the