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Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Feb 2024Diphyllobothrium spp., also known as fish tapeworms, is the largest human tapeworm, reaching up to 25 meters of length. Human are considered the definitive host in the...
Diphyllobothrium spp., also known as fish tapeworms, is the largest human tapeworm, reaching up to 25 meters of length. Human are considered the definitive host in the Diphyllobothrium lifecycle. Adult tapeworms attach to human intestinal mucosa with to bilateral grooves. There are at least 14 different species of Diphyllobothrium spp. Capable of causing Dyphyllobothriosis, being D. latum and D. nihonkaiense the most frequent etiologic agents in humans. We present the clinical picture and endoscopic images on a patient with incidental finding of Dyphyllobothriosis in a colonoscopy.
PubMed: 38345520
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10300/2024 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Mar 2023Fish is a great nutritious food and provides quality protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. This contributes significantly to the economy and food security in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Fish is a great nutritious food and provides quality protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. This contributes significantly to the economy and food security in Iran. However, there are safety concerns related to the presence of zoonotic parasites.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is, therefore, to review fish-borne zoonotic parasites in Iran.
METHODS
Keywords such as fish-borne, parasites, zoonotic, Iran, and some names of fish-borne zoonotic parasites were searched in databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, Google Scholar and the World Health Organization.
RESULTS
The most common fish-borne parasites with zoonotic potential identified in reports in the literature were the protozoa Balantidium spp., Myxobolus spp. and Sarcosystis sp.; the trematodes Heterophyes heterophyes and Clinostomum complanatum; the cestodes Ligula intestinalis and Diphyllobothrium latum; the nematodes Pseudoterranova sp., Anisakis spp., Contracaecum spp., Raphidascaris spp., Eustrongylides spp. and Capillaria sp.; and the acanthocephal Corynosoma spp.
CONCLUSIONS
The potential risk factors for the transmission of fish-borne zoonotic parasites to humans are consumption of raw or undercooked infected fish, contact with contaminated water and contact with infected fish. There is a need for epidemiological surveillance of fish for parasites with zoonotic potential and of occurrence of infections in humans to better understand the public health significance and design prevention programs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Parasites; Iran; Fishes; Public Health; Trematoda
PubMed: 36271486
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.981 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2022Intestinal helminth parasites (worms) have afflicted humans throughout history and their eggs are readily detected in archaeological deposits including at locations...
Intestinal helminth parasites (worms) have afflicted humans throughout history and their eggs are readily detected in archaeological deposits including at locations where intestinal parasites are no longer considered endemic (e.g. the UK). Parasites provide valuable archaeological insights into historical health, sanitation, hygiene, dietary and culinary practices, as well as other factors. Differences in the prevalence of helminths over time may help us understand factors that affected the rate of infection of these parasites in past populations. While communal deposits often contain relatively high numbers of parasite eggs, these cannot be used to calculate prevalence rates, which are a key epidemiological measure of infection. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was investigated through time in England, based on analysis of 464 human burials from 17 sites, dating from the Prehistoric to Industrial periods. Eggs from two faecal-oral transmitted nematodes (Ascaris sp. and Trichuris sp.) and the food-derived cestodes (Taenia spp. and Diphyllobothrium latum syn Dibothriocephalus latus) were identified, although only Ascaris was detected at a high frequency. The changing prevalence of nematode infections can be attributed to changes in effective sanitation or other factors that affect these faecal-oral transmitted parasites and the presence of cestode infections reflect dietary and culinary preferences. These results indicate that the impact of helminth infections on past populations varied over time, and that some locations witnessed a dramatic reduction in parasite prevalence during the industrial era (18th-19th century), whereas other locations continued to experience high prevalence levels. The factors underlying these reductions and the variation in prevalence provide a key historical context for modern anthelmintic programs.
Topics: Animals; Ascaris; Diphyllobothrium; Feces; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Prevalence; United Kingdom
PubMed: 35446843
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010312 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Nov 2023
Topics: Animals; Humans; Diphyllobothrium; Diphyllobothriasis; China; Russia
PubMed: 37549900
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0335 -
Parasitology Research Mar 2024Dog faecal samples examined from January 2019 to December 2019 were retrospectively analysed for frequency of endoparasites. The examinations were performed with several...
Dog faecal samples examined from January 2019 to December 2019 were retrospectively analysed for frequency of endoparasites. The examinations were performed with several different methods: 29,219 samples were examined by flotation method and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin concentration (SAFC) technique, 1,330 samples by Baermann-Wetzel migration technique, 12,221 samples using a Giardia coproantigen enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 1,180 samples using a Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISA, 1,671 samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Giardia duodenalis and 447 samples by PCR testing for Cryptosporidium spp.. A total of 7.1% of the samples were positive for parasites in the microscopical examination using the flotation method and SAFC technique. The parasites found included Cystoisospora spp. (2.8%), Giardia duodenalis (2.3%), Ancylostomatidae (1.8%), Toxocara canis (1.6%), Trichuris vulpis (0.7%), Toxascaris leonina (0.5%), Capillaria spp. (0.2%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (0.2%), Crenosoma vulpis (0.1%), Taeniidae (0.1%), Sarcocystis spp. (0.03%), Dipylidium caninum (0.01%), Diphyllobothrium latum (< 0.01%), Spirurida (< 0.01%) and Opisthorchiidae (< 0.01%). Using the Baermann-Wetzel migration technique, Angiostrongylus vasorum was found in 0.75% and Crenosoma vulpis in 0.3% of the samples. ELISAs for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. revealed 13.9% and 1.0% positive faecal samples, and Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. PCRs 19.4% and 2.0%, respectively. Dogs in the first year of life were more frequently infected with parasites than older animals. In the microscopic examination using flotation method and SAFC technique, the significantly highest detection rates were found in dogs up to six months of age (p < 0.001).
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Cryptosporidiosis; Retrospective Studies; Cryptosporidium; Dog Diseases; Prevalence; Parasites; Giardia lamblia; Germany; Feces; Angiostrongylus
PubMed: 38480554
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08181-6 -
Parasites & Vectors Aug 2019In Europe, the tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus (syn. Diphyllobothrium latum) is a well-known etiological agent of human diphyllobothriosis, which spreads by the...
BACKGROUND
In Europe, the tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus (syn. Diphyllobothrium latum) is a well-known etiological agent of human diphyllobothriosis, which spreads by the consumption of raw fish flesh infected by plerocercoids (tapeworm's larval stage). However, the process of parasite establishment in both intermediate and definitive hosts is poorly understood. This study was targeted mainly on the scolex (anterior part) of the plerocercoid of this species, which facilitates penetration of the parasite in intermediate paratenic fish hosts, and subsequently its attachment to the intestine of the definitive host.
METHODS
Plerocercoids were isolated from the musculature of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) caught in Italian alpine lakes. Parasites were examined using confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunofluorescence tagging was held on whole mount larvae.
RESULTS
The organisation of the central and peripheral nervous system was captured in D. latus plerocercoids, including the ultrastructure of the nerve cells possessing large dense neurosecretory granules. Two types of nerve fibres run from the body surface toward the nerve plexus located in the parenchyma on each side of bothria. One type of these fibres was found to be serotoninergic and possessed large subtegumental nerve cell bodies. A well-developed gland apparatus, found throughout the plerocercoid parenchyma, produced heterogeneous granules with lucent core packed in a dense layer. Three different types of microtriches occurred on the scolex and body surface of plerocercoids of D. latus: (i) uncinate spinitriches; (ii) coniform spinitriches; and (iii) capilliform filitriches. Non-ciliated sensory receptors were observed between the distal cytoplasm of the tegument and the underlying musculature.
CONCLUSIONS
Confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) showed the detailed microanatomy of the nervous system in the scolex of plerocercoids, and also several differences in the larval stages compared with adult D. latus. These features, i.e. well-developed glandular system and massive hook-shaped uncinate spinitriches, are thus probably required for plerocercoids inhabiting fish hosts and also for their post-infection attachment in the human intestine.
Topics: Animals; Diphyllobothrium; Fish Diseases; Larva; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nervous System; Seafood
PubMed: 31434579
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3664-8 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Aug 2020Helminth infections are among the World Health Organization's top neglected diseases with significant impact in many Less Economically Developed Countries. Despite no...
Helminth infections are among the World Health Organization's top neglected diseases with significant impact in many Less Economically Developed Countries. Despite no longer being endemic in Europe, the widespread presence of helminth eggs in archaeological deposits indicates that helminths represented a considerable burden in past European populations. Prevalence of infection is a key epidemiological feature that would influence the elimination of endemic intestinal helminths, for example, low prevalence rates may have made it easier to eliminate these infections in Europe without the use of modern anthelminthic drugs. To determine historical prevalence rates we analysed 589 grave samples from 7 European sites dated between 680 and 1700 CE, identifying two soil transmitted nematodes (Ascaris spp. and Trichuris trichiura) at all locations, and two food derived cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum and Taenia spp.) at 4 sites. The rates of nematode infection in the medieval populations (1.5 to 25.6% for T. trichiura; 9.3-42.9% for Ascaris spp.) were comparable to those reported within modern endemically infected populations. There was some evidence of higher levels of nematode infection in younger individuals but not at all sites. The genetic diversity of T. trichiura ITS-1 in single graves was variable but much lower than with communal medieval latrine deposits. The prevalence of food derived cestodes was much lower (1.0-9.9%) than the prevalence of nematodes. Interestingly, sites that contained Taenia spp. eggs also contained D. latum which may reflect local culinary practices. These data demonstrate the importance of helminth infections in Medieval Europe and provide a baseline for studies on the epidemiology of infection in historical and modern contexts. Since the prevalence of medieval STH infections mirror those in modern endemic countries the factors affecting STH decline in Europe may also inform modern intervention campaigns.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Anthelmintics; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Child; Child, Preschool; Europe; Female; Genetic Variation; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intestines; Male; Middle Aged; Neglected Diseases; Nematoda; Prevalence; Soil; Toilet Facilities; Trichuriasis; Trichuris; Young Adult
PubMed: 32853225
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2020(Linnaeus, 1758) (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea; syn. ), is a fish-borne zoonotic parasite responsible for diphyllobothriasis in humans. Although has long been studied,...
(Linnaeus, 1758) (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea; syn. ), is a fish-borne zoonotic parasite responsible for diphyllobothriasis in humans. Although has long been studied, many aspects of its epidemiology and distribution remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, mean intensity of infestation, and mean abundance of plerocercoid larvae of in European perch () and its spatial distribution in three commercial fishing areas in Lake Iseo (Northern Italy). A total of 598 specimens of were caught in 2019. The total prevalence of was 6.5%. However, there were significant differences between areas (10.2% North; 7.3% Center; 1.5% South) (Chi-square test, = 0.0018). The mean intensity of infestation ranged from 1 larva in southern area to 1.2 larvae in both the central and northern (Pisogne) areas. In addition, the mean abundance ranged from 0.02 in the southern area to 0.26 in the northern area (Pisogne). The total number of larvae (anterior dorsal-AD = 21; anterior ventral-AV = 1; posterior dorsal-PD = 15; posterior ventral-PV = 5) differed significantly between the four anatomical quadrants (Kruskal-Wallis test; = 0.0001). The prevalence of plerocercoid larvae in European perch from Lake Iseo has long been investigated, but without an appropriate sampling design. With the present study, a broader analysis in spatial distribution has been added to the existing literature, revealing new information about distribution and occurrence in Lake Iseo, with new data that will be useful for health authorities and future studies.
Topics: Animals; Diphyllobothriasis; Diphyllobothrium; Fish Diseases; Humans; Italy; Lakes
PubMed: 32674519
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145070 -
Helminthologia Sep 2019Diphyllobothriosis is a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by so-called "broad tapeworms" or "fish tapeworms" of different genera of the order Diphyllobothriidea....
Diphyllobothriosis is a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by so-called "broad tapeworms" or "fish tapeworms" of different genera of the order Diphyllobothriidea. (Linnaeus 1758), (syn. , is a medically important type species of the genus, whose occurrence in various European regions is either regular, e.g. in the Alpine lakes region, or occasional and sporadic, e. g. in the Danube River region. For the latter, data on the detection of plerocercoids in the second intermediate fish host (European perch ), as well as in definitive hosts (human and dog), in which infection was directly linked to the consumption of infected fish from the Danube, were published more than 50 years ago. In order to assess the current situation, we aimed to find out whether is present in the natural environment of the Danube River. In total, 700 perch from five sampling sites in the Slovak part of the Danube River were examined. Plerocercoids were not detected in any fish examined, which leads to the conclusion that is currently not present in the studied aquatic environment.
PubMed: 31662698
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2019-0001