Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among Inhabitants and Tribes of Chelgerd, Iran, 2008-2009.

INTRODUCTION Although a notable development in treating and controlling of parasitic infections in recent years has occurred but, these infections are still counted as important problems in many countries. AIM The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the inhabitant and tribe populations who were referred to central health care of Chelgerd, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from April 2008 to October 2009 in Chelgerd, Iran. A total of 655 samples of feces from inhabitants and tribes were collected and each sample was examined by Direct smear, formol- ethyl acetate concentration and Trichorom staining. RESULTS Out of 655 stool samples, 367(56%) patients revealed at least one intestinal parasite (pathogenic /non-pathogenic protozoa/helminth), 233(67.7%) in tribes and 134(43%) in inhabitants. There was significant difference between infected inhabitants and infected tribes (p=0.001). Although the intestinal parasitic infections were more in female than male it was not statistically significant (p=0.52). There was no significant difference in various age groups. Common intestinal parasitic infections which were detected in both the populations were Giardia intestinalis (28.2%) and Blastocystis hominis (27.5%). CONCLUSIONS We found that the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was higher in the tribe than inhabitant populations. Prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections was much higher than the helminthic infections. These findings reflect poor sanitary conditions in this region. They should be educated and provided better facilities to get rid of intestinal parasitic infections

Induction of Apoptosis in Toxoplasma gondii Infected Hela Cells by Cisplatin and Sodium Azide and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies and Potential Use for Vaccination against Toxoplasma gondii

Background: Toxoplasma gondii can infect a wide range of mammalians, especially humans. It controls several intracellular signals for the inhibition of apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the apoptogenic effect of cisplatin and sodium azide on T. gondii infected HeLa cells and isolate apoptotic bodies (blebs) as a potent stimulator of the immune system. Methods: The cytotoxic properties of cisplatin and sodium azide (NaN3) on HeLa cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Moreover, the apoptogenic activity of cisplatin and NaN3 was studied using flow cytometry (Annexin V/PI double staining) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, apoptotic bodies were separated by centrifugation. Results: MTT assay data showed that the survival rate of cells treated with different concentration of NaN3 was significantly reduced, compared to negative control groups. Concerning cisplatin, only concentration of 20 μM had not a significant impact on the cell viability; however, the other concentration of cisplatin significantly reduced cell viability, compared to negative control groups. The level of early apoptosis in uninfected HeLa cells was higher compared to infected HeLa cells treated with cisplatin and NaN3. Finally, apoptotic bodies were separated from T. gondii infected HeLa cells treated with cisplatin. Conclusion: Apoptosis was induced in both uninfected and infected HeLa cells with T. gondii and apoptotic bodies were isolated from infected cells. Therefore, further studies on apoptotic bodies are required in order to find a proper candidate for vaccine preparation against T. gondii infections

The prevalence of human trichuriasis in Asia: a systematic review and meta‑analysis

Trichuriasis is one of the most common soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, affecting populations globally. The condition is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas with low levels of sanitation and poor living conditions. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection in Asia at the country and region level. Multiple databases/academic search engines (Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched for literature on T. trichiura prevalence in Asia published through January 2021. Pooled prevalence was determined using the meta-package in R (version 3.6.1). Out of 13,836 articles, 226 studies (5,439,500 individuals) from 26 countries met the inclusion criteria. Of the 226 studies, 151 were community-based studies that included individuals across the age spectrum, while 75 studies focused on school children (typically in the 5–16 years age range). The overall T. trichiura pooled prevalence was 15.3% (95% CI: 12.4–19.1%), with a pooled prevalence of 13.3% (95% CI: 10.0–17.1%) for the community studies and 20.9% (95% CI: 14.7–27.9%) for the studies only including school children. For studies including all age groups, individuals in the 1–15 years age group had the highest pooled prevalence at 23.4% (95% CI: 1.7–49.4%). There was a significant difference found in overall pooled prevalence by sex (p < 0.001) and community type (rural versus urban) (p < 0.001). Although prevalence appears to be decreasing, study findings suggest that T. trichiura infection continues to be a public health problem in Asia. Therefore, control programs focused on at-risk individuals in endemic areas are needed

Molecular identification of Leishmania isolates obtained from patients suspected as having cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to reference laboratories from Yazd province in central Iran

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) continues to be an increasing public health problem in Iran. The dominant etiologic agents of CL in the Old World are Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. One of the important endemic foci of CL in Iran is Yazd. Recently, previous studies showed the equal prevalence of L. major and L. tropica as the agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this area. This prompted us to identify the genotype of L. major isolates obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Materials and Methods: After completing a clinical/epidemiologic data questionnaire for 218 patients with suspected skin lesions, scraping samples were collected, and each specimen was examined using both direct microscopy and molecular assay of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results : Results showed that of the 218 samples, Leishman body was observed in 77 by direct smear and 104 by PCR assay. Molecular assay indicated 50 cases as L. major, 52 cases as L. tropica, and two cases as unknown. Molecular characterization of L. major isolates showed four patterns, named LmA1, LmA2, LmA3, and LmA4. Conclusion: Our study is the first report for molecular characterization of L. major from one of the important central province of Iran that could affect the control strategies in this field

Frequency of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar prevalence among patients with gastrointestinal complaints in Chelgerd city, southwest of Iran

BACKGROUND: Differentiation between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar is very important for both clinical therapy and epidemiological studies. Although these two species are morphologically identical, they have differences in genetic, chemical specifications and pathogenicity. This study was carried out to differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar and also to find out frequency of the two species. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected three times from 655 patients with gastrointestinal complaints (47.3% male and 52.7% female), who were referred to the primary health care centers of Chelgerd, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary province. Samples were examined microscopically with direct smear, formalin-ethyl-acetate concentration and trichrom staining methods to distinguish E. histolytica from E. dispar complex and differentiate them from non-pathogenic intestinal amoeba. Genomic DNA was extracted from microscopy positive isolates and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to different the two morphologically identical Entamoeba isolates. RESULTS: Among the 655 recruited patients, eleven subjects with E. histolytica I E. dispar isolates (1.7%) were identified by microscopy methods. Ten of the positive isolates (90.9%) were identified as E. histolytica by PCR and one isolate (9.09 %) was positive for E. dispar. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that E. histolytica was more prevalent than E. dispar in the studied area. This result was different from the previously reported data in other parts of Iran

Frequency of blood-tissue parasitic infections in patients with multiple sclerosis, as compared to their family members

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which has been identifies more prevalent in economically developed countries than in the developing countries. Low prevalence of parasitic infections (which can activate immune response and prevent or modulate damage to host antigens) in these areas is among the possible responsible factors for such a difference. In this study we aimed to compare frequency of blood-tissue parasitic infections in patients with MS, as compared to their healthy family members. Methods: This study was conducted on 50 relapsing remitting MS patients and 50 family members attending MS clinic at Alzahra Hospital. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii were measured. Given the high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan, all the participants were also examined for protozoan leishmania microscopically. Furthermore malaria parasite was investigated. Results: Eighteen patients and 24 healthy family members had positive test in IgG Toxoplasma gondii(P = 0.09). In both groups, there was no positive IgM Toxoplasma gondii. In investigating leishmania, only 3 participants in the case group and 2 in the control tested positive (P = 0.25). No case of malaria was found among the participants. Conclusion: Our results showed a mismatch with hygiene hypotheses examined. However, considering that the prevalence of parasites varies with time, and depends on numerous epidemiological factors; these results do not discredit the theory investigated

Identification of genotypes of Giardia duodenalis human isolates in Isfahan, Iran, using polymerase chain reaction - Restriction Fragment Length polymorphism

Background : Giardia duodenalis is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites of human. It also infects a wide range of mammals.Two genotype of G.duodenalis (A and B) were commonly reported among humans with different frequency of distribution in different geographical locations. This work was conducted to discriminate genotypes of Giardia duodenalis human isolates in Isfahan city using PCR- RFLP. This is the first molecular study on human isolates of G.duodenalis in the area. Methods: Samples were collected from different health centers of Isfahan city during June 2011 and February 2012. From 175 Giardia positive stool samples 67 specimens were selected randomly. Cysts of Giardia positive samples were concentrated by flotation sucrose. Extraction of genomic DNA from trophozoite and cysts was performed using QIAamp Stool Mini kit with a modified protocol. PCR- RFLP method was used to amplify a fragment of 458bp at the glutamate dehydrogenase locus, and restriction enzymes BspLI and RsaI differentiated human genotypes A and B and their subgroups. Results: PCR - RFLP assay of 67 isolates showed 40(59.7%) isolates as Genotype A group II, 23(34.32%) samples as Genotype B Group III and two (2.98%) sample as Genotype B group IV. Mixed genotype of (AII and B) was detected only in two isolates (2.98%). Conclusions: PCR - RFLP assay targeting gdh locus is a sensitive tool and discriminates genotypes, sub genotypes and mixed type of G.duodenalis. Results of our study suggest both anthroponotic and zoonotic origins for the infections respectively

Environmental contamination of different areas of Isfahan province of Iran with Toxocara spp. eggs using molecular methods

Background: Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Infective stage of this parasite for human develops on soil. So, in this work contamination of the soil of public environments in five geographical areas of Isfahan province of Iran has been investigated. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 355 soil samples were collected from parks, children's playgrounds, student dormitories, and university environments, and examined by Flotation method. The samples were then inspected using microscopic and molecular methods. Results: From the 355 examined soil samples in 77 (21.69%), and 87 (24.50%) cases Toxocara eggs were detected by microscopic and molecular methods, respectively. In the molecular method, 31 (8.70%) cases of T. cati and 44 (12.39%) cases of T. canis were identified. Conclusion: Toxocara eggs were identified in all areas of Isfahan province, although contamination rate was higher in Fereydun Shahr and Semirum counties

Prevalence of toxoplasma gondii and the level of IL8 in patients with Celiac disease

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually detected by using immunoglobulin IgG and IgM antibodies in different populations. This parasite is implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (CD). In the present study the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and the level of IL8 in patients with Celiac disease were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study in 2013, 150 patients with CD diagnosis were selected by using questionnaire and the presence of antibodies specific for Toxoplasma gondii (IgG, IgM) was detected by ELISA. On the other hand the level of IL8 was detected using available commercial kit. Results: patients (n=59, 39.9%) were positive for anti-toxoplasma IgG. On the other hand, only 2 of them were positive for IgM antibodies, which did not show statistical correlation to the disease (1.4%, P = 0.65). The mean level of IL8 was 176.38 (SD=191.79) in 150 CD patients, which did not show a statistical significant correlation between the mean level of IL8 and celiac disease (P=0.001). Conclusion: Like other studies showing that intestinal infection can help to develop celiac disease in susceptible individuals, our results also revealed that Toxoplasma gondii infection can increase the risk of developing celiac disease