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Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2023Babesiosis is a globally distributed parasitic infection caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa. The full spectrum of neurologic symptoms, the underlying...
Babesiosis is a globally distributed parasitic infection caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa. The full spectrum of neurologic symptoms, the underlying neuropathophysiology, and neurologic risk factors are poorly understood. Our study sought to describe the type and frequency of neurologic complications of babesiosis in a group of hospitalized patients and assess risk factors that might predispose patients to neurologic complications. We reviewed medical records of adult patients who were admitted to Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, during January 2011-October 2021 with laboratory-confirmed babesiosis. More than half of the 163 patients experienced >1 neurologic symptoms during their hospital admissions. The most frequent symptoms were headache, confusion/delirium, and impaired consciousness. Neurologic symptoms were associated with high-grade parasitemia, renal failure, and history of diabetes mellitus. Clinicians working in endemic areas should recognize the range of symptoms associated with babesiosis, including neurologic.
Topics: Adult; Humans; United States; Babesiosis; Babesia microti; Connecticut; Nervous System Diseases; Parasitemia
PubMed: 37209667
DOI: 10.3201/eid2906.221890 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Apr 2023The Brazilian Amazon rainforest region has a significant prevalence of malarial and intestinal parasitic infections in indigenous populations, accounting for a...
The Brazilian Amazon rainforest region has a significant prevalence of malarial and intestinal parasitic infections in indigenous populations, accounting for a disproportionate burden. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and association between malarial and intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in four remote indigenous villages in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. A total of 430 individuals participated in the study, and Plasmodium infections were diagnosed by examination of thick blood smears and PCR. Stool samples 295 individuals (69%) were examined by direct smear and the Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence of malaria, intestinal protozoan infection, and intestinal helminth infection was 14.2%, 100%, and 39.3%, respectively. Polyparasitism was predominant (83.7%), and most infected individuals had at least two or more different species of intestinal protozoan and/or helminth parasites. The prevalence of co-infection was 49.5%, and in individuals with intestinal protozoa and helminth infections (34%), Entamoeba. coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most common parasites. In individuals with malaria and protozoa infections (10.2%), P. vivax, E. coli, and E. histolytica predominated, and in individuals with malaria, protozoa, and helminth infections (5.4%). P. vivax, E. coli, E. histolytica, and A. lumbricoides predominated. Intestinal polyparasitism was common in the study population, and the presence of helminths was associated with an increased number of intestinal parasitic species. However, Plasmodium infections were neither a risk nor a protective factor for helminth infections; the same was true for helminth infections in relation to Plasmodium. The high prevalence of intestinal polyparasitism with Plasmodium co-infections highlights the need for combining strategies that may help control both malaria and intestinal parasite and generate a health approach aligned with indigenous perspectives.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Coinfection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Brazil; Rainforest; Escherichia coli; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Helminthiasis; Malaria; Helminths; Malaria, Vivax; Intestinal Diseases; Indigenous Peoples; Prevalence; Feces
PubMed: 36842196
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.02.012 -
Parasitology Research Mar 2023Transovarial transmission (TOT) is an efficient vertical transmission of pathogens that is observed in many arthropod vectors. This method seems to be an evolutionarily... (Review)
Review
Transovarial transmission (TOT) is an efficient vertical transmission of pathogens that is observed in many arthropod vectors. This method seems to be an evolutionarily unique development observed only in Babesia sensu stricto (clade VI) and Rickettsia spp., whereas transstadial transmission is the common/default way of transmission. Transovarial transmission does not necessarily contribute to the amplification of tick-borne pathogens but does contribute to the maintenance of disease in the environment. This review aims to provide an updated summary of previous reports on TOT of tick-borne pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Ticks; Rickettsia; Babesia; Arthropod Vectors; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 36797442
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07792-9 -
Nature Communications Dec 2023Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and play a significant role in the evolution of many organisms and ecosystems. In pathogenic protozoa, the...
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and play a significant role in the evolution of many organisms and ecosystems. In pathogenic protozoa, the presence of viruses has been linked to an increased risk of treatment failure and severe clinical outcome. Here, we studied the molecular epidemiology of the zoonotic disease cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru and Bolivia through a joint evolutionary analysis of Leishmania braziliensis and their dsRNA Leishmania virus 1. We show that parasite populations circulate in tropical rainforests and are associated with single viral lineages that appear in low prevalence. In contrast, groups of hybrid parasites are geographically and ecologically more dispersed and associated with an increased prevalence, diversity and spread of viruses. Our results suggest that parasite gene flow and hybridization increased the frequency of parasite-virus symbioses, a process that may change the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in the region.
Topics: Humans; Ecosystem; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Leishmania braziliensis; Leishmania; Peru
PubMed: 38102141
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44085-2 -
Parasitology Research Sep 2021Cryptosporidium is one of the most important parasitic protozoa that can be transmitted through food and water contamination. With the increasing report of... (Review)
Review
Cryptosporidium is one of the most important parasitic protozoa that can be transmitted through food and water contamination. With the increasing report of Cryptosporidium infections in wild birds, especially in herbivorous waterfowl, concerns have been raised for oocyst contamination of water and food supplies, which in turn can cause human and domestic animal infections in areas neighboring wild birds' habitats. This review discusses the epidemiology, species, and genotypes distribution of Cryptosporidium in wild birds around the world. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium in wild birds was calculated as 3.96% (1945/49129), with 6 Cryptosporidium species (C. andersoni, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. avium, C. baileyi, and C. galli) and 5 genotypes (Goose genotype I, Goose genotype II, Avian genotype I, Avian genotype III, and Avian genotype VI) reported. As wild birds mainly live in the wild, control method for the Cryptosporidium infection in wild birds is still lacking, which increases the probability of disease transmission from wild birds to humans. The main purpose of this review is to highlight the Cryptosporidium infection in wild birds and its transmission, associated risk factors, and their prevention, illustrating the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches toward screening and control of Cryptosporidium infections.
Topics: Animals; Bird Diseases; Birds; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Genotype; Humans; One Health
PubMed: 34401942
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07289-3 -
Virulence Dec 2023African trypanosomes are vector-borne protozoa, which cause significant human and animal disease across sub-Saharan Africa, and animal disease across Asia and South... (Review)
Review
African trypanosomes are vector-borne protozoa, which cause significant human and animal disease across sub-Saharan Africa, and animal disease across Asia and South America. In humans, infection is caused by variants of , and is characterized by varying rate of progression to neurological disease, caused by parasites exiting the vasculature and entering the brain. Animal disease is caused by multiple species of trypanosome, primarily , and . These trypanosomes also infect multiple species of mammalian host, and this complexity of trypanosome and host diversity is reflected in the spectrum of severity of disease in animal trypanosomiasis, ranging from hyperacute infections associated with mortality to long-term chronic infections, and is also a main reason why designing interventions for animal trypanosomiasis is so challenging. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current understanding of trypanosome determinants of infection progression and severity, covering laboratory models of disease, as well as human and livestock disease. We will also highlight gaps in knowledge and capabilities, which represent opportunities to both further our fundamental understanding of how trypanosomes cause disease, as well as facilitating the development of the novel interventions that are so badly needed to reduce the burden of disease caused by these important pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Trypanosomiasis, African; Virulence; Tsetse Flies; Trypanosoma; Trypanosomiasis; Mammals
PubMed: 36419235
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150445 -
Acta Tropica Jul 2022Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs), including helminths and protozoa species, are a major health problem in many parts of the world. About 3.5 billion people are affected...
Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs), including helminths and protozoa species, are a major health problem in many parts of the world. About 3.5 billion people are affected by the parasites worldwide. GIPs are one of the leading causes of death among immunocompromised individuals and can cause serious clinical complications, especially in people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS, hemodialysis patients, and transplant recipients. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of GIPs among immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent individuals in Lorestan province, West Iran. In the current study, with a sampling of 232 participants (114 hemodialysis, AIDS, and organ transplantation immunocompromised patients and 118 immunocompetent individuals as the control group), demographic characteristics and risk factors for GIPs were collected through a pre-designed questionnaire. Stool samples of patients and the control group were examined for GIPs using different diagnostic methods including direct smear (saline and Lugol's iodine), Ziehl-Neelsen staining, agar-plate culture, and concentration method (formalin ether sedimentation). To evaluate the relative status of the immune system, TCD4 cells were counted in the blood samples of the subjects by flow cytometry. The results were analyzed using SPSS 21 software, Fisher exact, and chi-square statistical tests. Multivariate modeling of the data was performed using logistic regression. The prevalence of GIPs in immunocompromised patients was more than twice that of immunocompetent individuals in the control group (42.06% vs. 17.79%). The most prevalent parasites identified among immunocompromised patients were Cryptosporidium sp. (27.1%), Blastocystis sp. (16.7%), and Entamoeba coli (14.6%) respectively. Cryptosporidium sp. had the highest frequency among hemodialysis patients (6.49%), AIDS patients (26.92%), and transplant recipients (18.18%) respectively. Patients with AIDS had the highest positive results for Cryptosporidium sp. followed by Microsporidia sp. (23.7%). In immunocompetent individuals, the highest prevalence of GIPs was related to Blastocystis sp and Trichomonas hominis (28.57%). Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was a statistically significant difference between various age groups regarding infection with GIPs so the highest rate of GIPs infection was observed in the age group lower than 50 years (P = 0.035). The statistical difference between the variable of location and infection with GIPs was insignificant but remarkable (P = 0.070). According to the results, it can be concluded that GIP is more common in immunocompromised patients than in immunocompetent individuals with cryptosporidium sp. predominance. Due to the favorable conditions of immunocompromised patients for GIPs and considering them as one of the important sources of parasitic infections and parasite transmission in society, control, prevention, and monitoring of their social behaviors along with health issues are inevitable.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Feces; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Middle Aged; Parasites; Prevalence
PubMed: 35421383
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106464 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Parasites, bacteria, and viruses pose serious threats to public health. Many parasite infections, including infections of protozoa and helminths, can inhibit... (Review)
Review
Parasites, bacteria, and viruses pose serious threats to public health. Many parasite infections, including infections of protozoa and helminths, can inhibit inflammatory responses and impact disease outcomes caused by viral, bacterial, or other parasitic infections. Type I interferon (IFN-I) has been recognized as an essential immune effector in the host defense against various pathogens. In addition, IFN-I responses induced by co-infections with different pathogens may vary according to the host genetic background, immune status, and pathogen burden. However, there is only limited information on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites and viruses, bacteria, or other parasites. This review summarizes some recent findings on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites, including spp., spp., , or , and viruses or bacteria and co-infections with different parasites (such as co-infection with and , and co-infection with spp. and ). The potential mechanisms of host responses associated with co-infections, which may provide targets for immune intervention and therapies of the co-infections, are also discussed.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Coinfection; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Interferon Type I; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Signal Transduction; Virus Diseases; Viruses
PubMed: 33193291
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01805 -
Journal of Ayub Medical College,... 2023A group of eukaryotic organisms that are either free-living or parasitic and feed on organic matter, such as microorganisms or organic detritus. This group is referred...
BACKGROUND
A group of eukaryotic organisms that are either free-living or parasitic and feed on organic matter, such as microorganisms or organic detritus. This group is referred to as a polyphyletic classification. They can be found in a wide variety of patterns and sizes, ranging from an amoeba, which can vary its shape, to a paramecium, which has a fixed shape and a complicated structure. The objective was to find out the occurrence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas among Dental Patients visiting the Periodontology Department Dental Section, Sandeman, Provincial Hospital Quetta.
METHODS
The study design was randomized cross-sectional and conducted in the Department of Periodontology Dental Section, Sandeman Provincial Hospital Quetta, from March 2022 to February 2023. A total of 110 known cases of periodontitis and gingivitis were recruited in this study, and further to laboratory work the bacterial biofilm samples were collected from both gingivitis and periodontitis patients. The dental plaque was placed on individual glass microscope slides and a drop of saline and mixed and covered with a coverslip. The wet smear was examined immediately under 40X, and the objective for the presence and absence of motile amoebae or flagellated protozoa was recorded. .
RESULTS
out of 110 known cases of periodontitis and gingivitis 91 (83%) patients were males and 19 (17%) were females among 110 patients, 40 (36%) patients were periodontitis and 70 (64%) patients were gingivitis. Among 40 (36%) periodontitis patients 3(7.5%) were Entamoeba gingivalis and 4(10%) were Trichomonas Tenax while 70 (64%) cases of Gingivitis 20 (28%) of Entamoeba gingivalis and 1(1%) Trichomonas tenax was recorded. No patient had both species of protozoa were seen in this study.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study revealed the frequency of occurrence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax and the state of periodontitis and gingivitis. The prevalence of E. gingivalis was higher than T. tenax. We recommended further research with a higher number of patients and may use more advanced and reliable laboratory techniques such as PCR and electron microscopy.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Trichomonas; Entamoeba; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gingivitis; Periodontitis
PubMed: 38406902
DOI: 10.55519/JAMC-S4-12660 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2020Leishmaniasis represents a serious health problem worldwide and drug resistance is a growing concern. parasites use unusual mechanisms to control their gene expression.... (Review)
Review
Leishmaniasis represents a serious health problem worldwide and drug resistance is a growing concern. parasites use unusual mechanisms to control their gene expression. In contrast to many other species, they do not have transcriptional regulation. The lack of transcriptional control is mainly compensated by post-transcriptional mechanisms, including tight translational control and regulation of mRNA stability/translatability by RNA-binding proteins. Modulation of translation plays a major role in parasite survival and adaptation to dramatically different environments during change of host; however, our knowledge of fine molecular mechanisms of translation in remains limited. Here, we review the current progress in our understanding of how changes in the translational machinery promote parasite differentiation during transmission from a sand fly to a mammalian host, and discuss how translational reprogramming can contribute to the development of drug resistance.
Topics: Animals; Drug Resistance; Gene Expression Regulation; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Life Cycle Stages; Protein Biosynthesis; Protozoan Proteins; RNA-Binding Proteins
PubMed: 32340274
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082981