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Parasites & Vectors Jul 2020Diarrheal diseases caused by intestinal protozoan parasites are a major food-borne public health problem across the world. Vegetables and fruits provide important... (Review)
Review
Diarrheal diseases caused by intestinal protozoan parasites are a major food-borne public health problem across the world. Vegetables and fruits provide important nutrients and minerals, but are also common sources of some food-borne human pathogenic microorganisms. The contamination of raw vegetables and fruits with human pathogenic parasites are now a global public health threat, despite the health benefits of these foods in non-pharmacological prophylaxes against diseases. A large number of reports have documented the contamination of vegetables or fruits with human pathogenic microorganisms. In this paper, we reviewed the contamination and detection methods of human pathogenic intestinal protozoans that are frequently recovered from raw vegetables and fruits. The protozoan parasites include Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Balantioides coli, Blastocystis sp., Cystoisospora belli and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. The risk factors involved in the contamination of vegetables and fruits with parasites are also assessed.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Cryptosporidium; Cyclospora; Entamoeba; Enterocytozoon; Food Parasitology; Fruit; Giardia lamblia; Global Health; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Risk Factors; Toxoplasma; Vegetables
PubMed: 32727529
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04255-3 -
Current Rheumatology Reports Jul 2021This article presents a comprehensive narrative review of reactive arthritis (ReA) with focus on articles published between 2018 and 2020. We discuss the entire spectrum... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This article presents a comprehensive narrative review of reactive arthritis (ReA) with focus on articles published between 2018 and 2020. We discuss the entire spectrum of microbial agents known to be the main causative agents of ReA, those reported to be rare infective agents, and those reported to be new candidates causing the disease. The discussion is set within the context of changing disease terminology, definition, and classification over time. Further, we include reports that present at least a hint of effective antimicrobial therapy for ReA as documented in case reports or in double-blind controlled studies. Additional information is included on microbial products detected in the joint, as well as on the positivity of HLA-B27.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent reports of ReA cover several rare causative microorganism such as Neisseria meningitides, Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Blastocytosis, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Strongyloides stercoralis, β-haemolytic Streptococci, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin, and Rickettsia rickettsii. The most prominent new infectious agents implicated as causative in ReA are Staphylococcus lugdunensis, placenta- and umbilical cord-derived Wharton's jelly, Rothia mucilaginosa, and most importantly the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In view of the increasingly large spectrum of causative agents, diagnostic consideration for the disease must include the entire panel of post-infectious arthritides termed ReA. Diagnostic procedures cannot be restricted to the well-known HLA-B27-associated group of ReA, but must also cover the large number of rare forms of arthritis following infections and vaccinations, as well as those elicited by the newly identified members of the ReA group summarized herein. Inclusion of these newly identified etiologic agents must necessitate increased research into the pathogenic mechanisms variously involved, which will engender important insights for treatment and management of ReA.
Topics: Arthritis, Reactive; Blastocystis Infections; COVID-19; Clostridium Infections; Cryptosporidiosis; Cyclosporiasis; Entamoebiasis; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Escherichia coli Infections; Giardiasis; HLA-B27 Antigen; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Prohibitins; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; SARS-CoV-2; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Strongyloidiasis; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 34196842
DOI: 10.1007/s11926-021-01018-6 -
Microorganisms Sep 2019is a coccidian parasite of humans, with a direct fecal-oral transmission cycle. It is globally distributed and an important cause of foodborne outbreaks of enteric... (Review)
Review
is a coccidian parasite of humans, with a direct fecal-oral transmission cycle. It is globally distributed and an important cause of foodborne outbreaks of enteric disease in many developed countries, mostly associated with the consumption of contaminated fresh produce. Because oocysts are excreted unsporulated and need to sporulate in the environment, direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely. Infection by is remarkably seasonal worldwide, although it varies by geographical regions. Most susceptible populations are children, foreigners, and immunocompromised patients in endemic countries, while in industrialized countries, affects people of any age. The risk of infection in developed countries is associated with travel to endemic areas and the domestic consumption of contaminated food, mainly fresh produce imported from endemic regions. Water and soil contaminated with fecal matter may act as a vehicle of transmission for infection. The disease is self-limiting in most immunocompetent patients, but it may present as a severe, protracted or chronic diarrhea in some cases, and may colonize extra-intestinal organs in immunocompromised patients. Trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of cyclosporiasis, but relapses may occur. Further research is needed to understand many unknown epidemiological aspects of this parasitic disease. Here, we summarize the biology, epidemiology, outbreaks, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of ; additionally, we outline future research needs for this parasite.
PubMed: 31487898
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7090317 -
Microorganisms Jan 2022Although infections with are prevalent worldwide, many aspects of this parasite's life cycle and transmission remain unknown. Humans are the only known hosts of this... (Review)
Review
Although infections with are prevalent worldwide, many aspects of this parasite's life cycle and transmission remain unknown. Humans are the only known hosts of this parasite. Existing information on its endogenous development has been derived from histological examination of only a few biopsy specimens. Its asexual and sexual stages occur in biliary-intestinal epithelium. In histological sections, its stages are less than 10 μm, making definitive identification difficult. Asexual (schizonts) and sexual (gamonts) are located in epithelial cells. Male microgamonts have two flagella; female macrogametes contain wall-forming bodies. Oocysts are excreted in feces unsporulated. Sporulation occurs in the environment, but there are many unanswered questions concerning dissemination and survival of oocysts. Biologically and phylogenetically, closely resembles spp. that parastize chickens; among them, most closely resembles in size. Here, we review known and unknown aspects of its life cycle and transmission and discuss the appropriateness of surrogates best capable of hastening progress in understanding its biology and developing mitigating strategies.
PubMed: 35056567
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010118 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020is a coccidian protozoan that causes cyclosporiasis, a severe gastroenteric disease, especially for immunocompromised patients, children, and the elderly. The parasite... (Review)
Review
is a coccidian protozoan that causes cyclosporiasis, a severe gastroenteric disease, especially for immunocompromised patients, children, and the elderly. The parasite is considered as an emerging organism and a major contributor of gastroenteritis worldwide. Although the global prevalence of cyclosporiasis morbidity and mortality has not been assessed, global concern has arisen since diarrheal illness and gastroenteritis significantly affect both developing countries and industrialized nations. In the last two decades, an increasing number of foodborne outbreaks has been associated with the consumption of fresh produce that is difficult to clean thoroughly and is consumed without processing. Investigations of these outbreaks have revealed the necessity to increase the awareness in clinicians of this infection, since this protozoan is often ignored by surveillance systems, and to establish control measures to reduce contamination of fresh produce. In this review, the major cyclosporiasis outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready to eat fresh fruits and vegetables are presented.
PubMed: 33233660
DOI: 10.3390/foods9111703 -
Parasitology Feb 2020Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian parasite that causes protracted and relapsing gastroenteritis, has a short recorded history. At least 54 countries have documented... (Review)
Review
Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian parasite that causes protracted and relapsing gastroenteritis, has a short recorded history. At least 54 countries have documented C. cayetanensis infections and 13 of them have recorded cyclosporiasis outbreaks. Cyclospora cayetanensis infections are commonly reported in developing countries with low-socioeconomic levels or in endemic areas, although large outbreaks have also been documented in developed countries. The overall C. cayetanensis prevalence in humans worldwide is 3.55%. Among susceptible populations, the highest prevalence has been documented in immunocompetent individuals with diarrhea. Infections are markedly seasonal, occurring in the rainy season or summer. Cyclospora cayetanensis or Cyclospora-like organisms have also been detected in food, water, soil and some other animals. Detection methods based on oocyst morphology, staining and molecular testing have been developed. Treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) effectively cures C. cayetanensis infection, whereas ciprofloxacin is less effective than TMP-SMX, but is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate co-trimoxazole. Here, we review the biological characteristics, clinical features, epidemiology, detection methods and treatment of C. cayetanensis in humans, and assess some risk factors for infection with this pathogen.
Topics: Antiprotozoal Agents; Cyclospora; Cyclosporiasis; Food Parasitology; Humans
PubMed: 31699163
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182019001471 -
Microorganisms Jan 2024Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne diarrheal illness caused by the parasite [...].
Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne diarrheal illness caused by the parasite [...].
PubMed: 38399685
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020281 -
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Mar 2021The recent increase of reported cyclosporiasis outbreaks associated with fresh produce has highlighted the need for understanding environmental transmission of in...
The recent increase of reported cyclosporiasis outbreaks associated with fresh produce has highlighted the need for understanding environmental transmission of in agricultural settings and facilities. Conducting such environmental investigations necessitates robust sample collection and analytical methods to detect in water samples. This study evaluated three sample collection methods for recovery of oocysts from water samples during seeded recovery experiments. Two filtration-based methods, dead-end ultrafiltration (DEUF) and USEPA Method 1623.1, were evaluated for oocyst recovery from irrigation water. A non-filter-based method, continuous flow centrifugation (CFC), was evaluated separately for recovery from creek water and spent produce wash water. Median recovery efficiencies were 17% for DEUF and 16-22% for Method 1623.1. The DEUF method proved to be more robust than Method 1623.1, as the recovery efficiencies were less variable and the DEUF ultrafilters were capable of filtering larger volumes of high-turbidity water without clogging. Median recovery efficiencies for CFC were 28% for wash water and 63% for creek water, making it a viable option for processing water with high turbidity or organic matter. The data from this study demonstrate the capability of DEUF and CFC as filter-based and non-filter-based options, respectively, for the recovery of oocysts from environmental and agricultural waters.
PubMed: 33681488
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2021.e00110 -
Viruses Jun 2022infections remain one of the most common protozoan opportunistic causes of gastrointestinal diseases and diarrhea among people living with HIV and/or AIDS (PLWHA). This... (Review)
Review
infections remain one of the most common protozoan opportunistic causes of gastrointestinal diseases and diarrhea among people living with HIV and/or AIDS (PLWHA). This study was conducted to provide a summary of the evidence on the global burden of infection and associated risk factors among PLWHA. , and were searched up to February 2022. All original peer-reviewed original research articles were considered, including descriptive and cross-sectional studies describing in PLWHA. Incoherence and heterogeneity between studies were quantified by I index and Cochran's Q test. Publication and population bias were assessed with funnel plots and Egger's asymmetry regression test. All statistical analyses were performed using StatsDirect. The pooled prevalence of infection among PLWHA was 3.89% (95% CI, 2.62-5.40). The highest prevalence found in South America was 7.87% and the lowest in Asia 2.77%. In addition, the prevalence of was higher in PLWHA compared to healthy individuals. There was a relationship between a higher prevalence in PLWHA with a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mL and people with diarrhea. The results show that PLWHA are more vulnerable to infection and emphasizes the need to implement the screening and prophylaxis tailored to the local context. Owing to the serious and significant clinical manifestations of the parasite, an early identification of seropositivity is recommended to initiate prophylaxis between PLWHA with a CD4 count ≤200 cells/mL and PLWHA who do not receive antiviral therapy.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyclospora; Cyclosporiasis; Diarrhea; Humans; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35746750
DOI: 10.3390/v14061279