Sequence analysis of the second internal Transcribed spacer (ITS2) region of rDNA for species identification of trichostrongylus nematodes isolated from domestic livestock in Iran

Background: Infectivity of herbivores with Trichostrongylus nematodes is widespread in many countries, having a major economic impact on breeding, survivability, and productivity of domestic livestock. This study was carried out on Trichostrongylus species isolated from domestic livestock in order to develop an easy-to-perform method for species identification. Methods: Trichostrongylus isolates were collected from sheep, goat, cattle, and buffaloes in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran. Primary species identification was carried out based on morphological characterization of male worms. PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed on genomic DNA and the products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence data was conducted employing Bayesian Inference approach. Consequently, a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile was designed to differentiate Trichostrongylus species. Results: A consensus sequence of 238 nucleotides was deposited in the GenBank for Iranian isolates of Trichostrongylus species including T. colubriformis, T. capricola, T. probolurus and T. vitrinus. The designated RFLP using restriction enzyme TasI could readily differentiate among species having different ITS2 sequence. The molecular analysis was in concordance with morphological findings. Conclusion: Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship among the sequences obtained in this study and reference sequence of relevant species. ITS2-RFLP with TasI is recommended for molecular differentiation of common Trichostrongylus species

Genotyping Echinococcus granulosus from dogs from Western Iran

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. In the present study, adults of E. granulosus (n = 20) were collected from 71 dogs from Western Iran and were genetically characterized using DNA sequencing of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1). Consensus sequences were obtained for cox1 (366) and nad1 (471) genes. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated nad1 and cox1 nucleotide sequence data was performed using Bayesian Inference approach. Overall, the dog isolates indicated nine different sequences in cox1 and seven in nad1 genes. Three genotypes (G1 [75%], G2 [10%] and G3 [15%]) were identified from the isolates. The G2 sequences indicated 100% homology with reference G2 sequence in both cox1 (Genbank accession number M84662) and nad1 (AJ237633) genes. G3 sequences showed 100% homology with G3 reference sequence in nad1 (AJ237633), but displayed two different cox1 profiles, each having 99% homology with reference G3 sequence (M84663). In the phylogenetic tree all of the isolates were grouped into a distinct cluster corresponding to the G1-G3 complex with relevant reference sequences. The presence of G1 genotype (sheep strain) of E. granulosus sensu stricto as dominant genotype in dogs is emphasized. To the best of our knowledge, this study established the first record of E. granulosus sensu stricto, G2 genotype in Iran. © 2012 Elsevier Inc

Genotyping Echinococcus granulosus from dogs from Western Iran

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. In the present study, adults of E. granulosus (n = 20) were collected from 71 dogs from Western Iran and were genetically characterized using DNA sequencing of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1). Consensus sequences were obtained for cox1 (366) and nad1 (471) genes. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated nad1 and cox1 nucleotide sequence data was performed using Bayesian Inference approach. Overall, the dog isolates indicated nine different sequences in cox1 and seven in nad1 genes. Three genotypes (G1 [75%], G2 [10%] and G3 [15%]) were identified from the isolates. The G2 sequences indicated 100% homology with reference G2 sequence in both cox1 (Genbank accession number M84662) and nad1 (AJ237633) genes. G3 sequences showed 100% homology with G3 reference sequence in nad1 (AJ237633), but displayed two different cox1 profiles, each having 99% homology with reference G3 sequence (M84663). In the phylogenetic tree all of the isolates were grouped into a distinct cluster corresponding to the G1-G3 complex with relevant reference sequences. The presence of G1 genotype (sheep strain) of E. granulosus sensu stricto as dominant genotype in dogs is emphasized. To the best of our knowledge, this study established the first record of E. granulosus sensu stricto, G2 genotype in Iran. © 2012 Elsevier Inc

Genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus from a large number of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of human isolates in Iran

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, presents an important medical and veterinary problem globally, including that in Iran. Different genotypes of E. granulosus have been reported from human isolates worldwide. This study identifies the genotype of the parasite responsible for human hydatidosis in three provinces of Iran using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In this study, 200 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from human CE cases were collected from Alborz, Tehran, and Kerman provinces. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene were performed for genetic characterization of the samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates from this study and reference sequences of different genotypes was done using a maximum likelihood method. In total, 54.4%, 0.8%, 1%, and 40.8% of the samples were identified as the G1, G2, G3, and G6 genotypes, respectively. The findings of the current study confirm the G1 genotype (sheep strain) to be the most prevalent genotype involved in human CE cases in Iran and indicates the high prevalence of the G6 genotype with a high infectivity for humans. Furthermore, this study illustrates the first documented human CE case in Iran infected with the G2 genotype. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Relationship between Social Determinants of Health and General Health Status of the Elderly in Alborz Province: Path Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social determinants of health (SDH), quality of life, lifestyle, and general health of the aging people in Alborz province. A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2000 aging people. A two-stage cluster sampling was applied to select participants. We used a four-section questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed with AMOS 22. We used path analysis to examine whether SDH, QOL and lifestyle would directly or indirectly affect general health and whether the pathway model was acceptable. The general health status of the most of participants was low. The results of path analysis show that general health is affected by the SDH, lifestyle and quality of life. Our pathway model was an acceptable model. Variables such as marital status, educational level, job, income, number of family members, QOL, and lifestyle can be considered as predictors of general health status in the aging people. It can be concluded that it is necessary to provide appropriate strategies to promote general health of the elder person. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Spatial Distribution and Molecular Identification of Leishmania Species from Endemic Foci of South-Eastern Iran

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis constitutes a major public health problem in many parts of the world including Iran. The primary objective of this study was to identify Leishmania species in endemic districts of Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran. Methods: This study was conducted by random sampling as cross- sectional descriptive between 2008 and 2010. Overall, 203 skin scraping smears were taken from the patients. Nested –PCR was performed to amplify variable minicircle fragments of Leishmania kDNA. Results: Bam was the most infected district (71.1%), followed by Kerman (14.7%), Jiroft (5.4%), Baft (2.7%), Sirjan (1.6%), Shahr-e Babak (1.5%) and others (3.0%). L. tropica was the most common species identified (194 cases, 95.6%), while L. major was found in only 9 cases (4.4%). Of 203 identified patients, all species in Bam (l07 cases), Kerman (32 cases), Jiroft (l6 cases) and Shahr-e- Babak (l1 cases) were detected as L. tropica, whereas infected subjects in Baft and Sirjan showed L. tropica or L. major. Characterization of Leishmania species resulted in generation of 750 bp and 560 bp fragments, corresponding to those of L. tropica and L. major, respectively. Conclusion: L. tropica is the main species (95.6%) caused ACL in endemic areas of Kerman Province; however L. major is present in low level (4.4%)

Correction to: Isolated Human and Livestock Echinococcus granulosus Genotypes Using Real-Time PCR of cox1 Gene in Northeast Iran (Acta Parasitologica, (2019), 64, 3, (679-685), 10.2478/s11686-019-00117-w)

Unfortunately, the affiliation of Majid Fasihi-Harandi needs to be edited. The correct affiliation is Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran