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Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2018The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth rate of Balantidium coli in three xenic media cultures. Between 2013 and 2015, 10 B. coli isolates obtained from... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth rate of Balantidium coli in three xenic media cultures. Between 2013 and 2015, 10 B. coli isolates obtained from feces of Cynomolgus macaques, and 30 isolates from feces of pigs were studied. An inoculum of 500 trophozoites was transferred to tubes containing LES, TYSGM-9 and Pavlova media. These cultures were evaluated at incubation times of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. In most of strains analyzed wasn't showed significant difference in the growth rate comparing TYSGM-9 and Pavlova media (Wilcoxon p>0.016). In Pavlova medium, the trophozoites showed a maximum growth at 72 hours with significant difference when compared with the times of 24 h and 96 h (Wilcoxon <0.008). In LES, viable trophozoites were observed until 24 hours, with a significant difference (Friedman p<0.05, Wilcoxon p<0.016) in the number of parasite cells compared with Pavlova and TYSGM-9 media cultures. Thus, LES medium seemed to be less adequate than the other media for maintenance of B. coli. Despite the satisfactory results in TYSGM-9, Pavlova medium was considered ideal for the maintenance of this protozoan strain, guaranteeing the viability of the parasite with subculture every three days, presenting lower costs.
Topics: Animals; Balantidium; Culture Media; Macaca; Parasitology; Swine
PubMed: 29641791
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612017075 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2020Backyard pigs have been associated with poor sanitary conditions and the development of parasitic diseases, often causing public health and food safety problems....
Backyard pigs have been associated with poor sanitary conditions and the development of parasitic diseases, often causing public health and food safety problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs. 279 animals were sampled from thirty-two backyard pig farms located in the Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron and Piedecuesta municipalities, from Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum and processed by four coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, being the highest values for Balantidium coli and Eimeria sp. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p ≥ 0.05) indicating that the prevalence was similar in the region under study. Floridablanca municipality, free-ranging pigs, access to latrines, and consumption of spring water showed to be a risk factor for nematodes, while Giron municipality, pigs > 7 months of age and access to latrines, increased infection risk for coccidian. We concluded that there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs from the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, and that it could be controlled by improving management practices and farm facilities.
Topics: Animals; Colombia; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 33237192
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612020094 -
The Canadian Journal of Infectious... 2018Although rare, parasitic infection can cause acute appendicitis and result in contamination of the peritonea during appendectomy. The goal of this study was to summarize...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Although rare, parasitic infection can cause acute appendicitis and result in contamination of the peritonea during appendectomy. The goal of this study was to summarize our experiences with parasitic appendicitis and describe a novel laparoscopic technique to prevent contamination.
METHOD
All patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy between January 2016 and January 2017 were included in the study. All appendectomies were performed using the standard three-port laparoscopic method, and a video recording was made of each procedure. Following separation of the mesoappendix, a single endoloop was placed in the base of the appendix, and the appendix was then transected 3-4 mm above the clamp with the aid of a thermal cauterizing/sealing device. The appendix was extracted from the 10 mm trocar hole below the umbilicus and placed inside a bag prepared from a glove. After pathological confirmation of parasitic appendicitis, medical records were retrospectively analyzed in each case for whether peritoneal contamination had occurred or not.
RESULTS
Out of 97 appendectomies, parasitic infection was observed in 4 cases, as confirmed by pathological examination. In two of these patients, was detected, while the other two were infected with . Intraoperative contamination did not occur in any of the cases, and retrospective review of the video recordings indicated no peritoneal contamination.
CONCLUSION
As a result of the coagulation and sealing effects of thermal devices, airtight seals were created on the residual appendiceal stumps, and consequently, no contamination was observed in any of the cases.
PubMed: 29977414
DOI: 10.1155/2018/3238061 -
Helminthologia Mar 2020The aim of the present study was to determine copro-prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and their associated potential risk factors in pigs of Punjab (India). A...
The aim of the present study was to determine copro-prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and their associated potential risk factors in pigs of Punjab (India). A total of 839 faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age group and sex from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab covering all seasons and subjected to qualitative and quantitative examination. Among the samples examined, 28.4 % were positive for gastrointestinal parasites and their respective prevalences were (11.1 %), coccidia (9.41 %), (6.43 %), (4.5 %), amphistome (3.33 %), strongyle (2.14 %) and (1.78 %). Upon sporulation of coccidian positive samples, 8 species of were recorded (, , , , , , and ). Among the various risk factors analysed, season, agro-climatic zones and managemental practices had a signifi cant (p<0.05) effect on gastrointestinal parasitism of pigs. Quantification of the infection levels in various seasons and age groups revealed the highest mean egg per gram in rainy season (1966. 6± 1146.5) and grower pigs (1457.1 ± 500.4). Coproculture analysis revealed the presence of larvae of and species. The results of the current study would be of immense help in formulation and implementation of control strategies for effective control of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs.
PubMed: 32063737
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2020-0011 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Peru is currently one of the world’s leading culinary destinations, whose world-renowned cuisine uses vegetables, mainly lettuce, as frequent ingredients. Vegetable...
Peru is currently one of the world’s leading culinary destinations, whose world-renowned cuisine uses vegetables, mainly lettuce, as frequent ingredients. Vegetable consumption is promoted worldwide as a part of a healthy diet. However, vegetables, more frequently lettuce, have been implicated as a vehicle of infection for several foodborne parasites. This study aimed to determine the presence of potentially pathogenic parasites in lettuce marketed in the Central Andes of Peru. A total of 75 lettuce samples were collected from the two largest wholesale markets and the main open-air market in Jauja province, in the central Peruvian Andes. The province of provenance (coast vs. highlands), lettuce variety (“curly-leaf”, “iceberg”, and “butter”), and type of market were recorded. The samples were microscopically examined for detection of parasitic life forms using standard parasitological methods including direct slide smear, Lugol’s iodine staining, and Modified Ziehl−Neelsen staining. The overall positivity of parasitic contamination in lettuces was 45.3% (CI 95%: 34−56.6%). Cryptosporidium spp., Isospora belli, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, and Entamoeba spp. were detected in twenty-six (34.7%), six (8%), four (5.3%), two (2.7%), and two (2.7%) lettuces, respectively. I. belli was found in a significantly (p < 0.01) lower proportion in the “butter” variety, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher contamination with G. lamblia was found in lettuce sold at the open-air market. B. coli, G. lamblia, and E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii were detected only in lettuce from the highlands (Tarma province). This study provides important data for health authorities to develop food safety programs. This information is also of interest to the international community because of the increased visibility that Peru has gained as a tourist destination.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lactuca; Peru; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Parasites; Vegetables; Giardia; Protozoan Proteins
PubMed: 36673697
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020943 -
Revista Do Instituto de Medicina... Feb 2019Consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables is quick, easy and healthy, especially when eaten without cooking. However, they might be a source of foodborne pathogenic...
Consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables is quick, easy and healthy, especially when eaten without cooking. However, they might be a source of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and parasitological contamination of fresh RTE vegetables produced in agroindustries in the Federal District of Brazil (FD), and to correlate contamination with good manufacturing practices (GMP). One hundred and three samples of RTE vegetables were collected from six agroindustries for microbiology and parasitology analyses and correlate with GMP; 54 samples were collected from three hypermarkets for parasitological evaluation. None of the samples analyzed were positive for Salmonella sp. and for thermotolerant coliforms, but they were contaminated with total coliforms. All analyzed samples were contaminated with at least one species of enteroparasistes or commensals, which were identified as Ascaris sp., Balantidium coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Trichuris sp., Entamoeba sp., eggs and larvae of Nematoda, insects and fungi. Agroindustries that adopted GMP showed less contamination with helminths. RTE vegetables sold in hypermarkets of the FD are unfit for human consumption. It is important to guide farmers in the FD on the need to adopt good practices in the production and processing of vegetables to reduce the microbial contamination.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Commerce; Food Contamination; Food Handling; Food Parasitology; Vegetables
PubMed: 30785568
DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946201961014 -
BMC Research Notes Feb 2018Increase in awareness of the health benefits of vegetables has resulted in an increase in consumption. Many vegetables are consumed raw to retain the natural taste and...
OBJECTIVE
Increase in awareness of the health benefits of vegetables has resulted in an increase in consumption. Many vegetables are consumed raw to retain the natural taste and heat labile nutrients. The safety of raw vegetables is a great concern. We investigated the bacteriological and parasitological quality of salad vegetables sold in three major markets in Fako Division Cameroon, the hygiene and preservation practices of vendors and determined the antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial isolates, to provide data that could be used to improve food safety and safeguard public health.
RESULTS
Bacterial contamination was high. Mean aerobic bacteria counts ranged from 2.5 × 10 to 15 × 10 cfu/g, total coliform counts from 4 to > 2400/g and fecal coliforms < 3 to 1100/g. Six bacterial species were isolated among which Staphylococcus aureus (35.4%) predominated while Serratia marcescens (8.5%) was the least. Bacteria showed high resistance to erythromycin (87.6%). Ten parasitic organisms were detected. Balantidium coli (25.6%) and Entamoeba spp. (21.7%) predominated. Contamination was highest in lettuce and lowest in green pepper. Hygiene and vegetable preservation practices of vendors were poor and could aggravate contamination. Contamination of fresh salad vegetables with pathogenic bacteria and parasites could be a food safety concern in study area.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria, Aerobic; Balantidium; Cameroon; Commerce; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Entamoeba; Enterobacteriaceae; Erythromycin; Food Contamination; Food Handling; Humans; Hygiene; Staphylococcus aureus; Vegetables
PubMed: 29409524
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3175-2 -
Veterinary World Dec 2019Gastrointestinal infestations caused by intestinal parasites are the most important diseases and the most common in pigs in the tropics. These parasites are often...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Gastrointestinal infestations caused by intestinal parasites are the most important diseases and the most common in pigs in the tropics. These parasites are often associated with a huge economic loss. This study aimed to assess the diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in farmed pigs from Haut-Ogooue Province, in South East Gabon.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From March 2018 to July 2018, 156 samples of pig feces collected from nine different farms were analyzed under light microscopy. The identification of eggs, cysts, and oocysts in fecal samples was done using two qualitative techniques: Flotation and sedimentation.
RESULTS
After examination, the results obtained revealed an overall infestation level of 98.7% (154/156). We found ten parasite types with infestation levels that varied from species: (120/156), spp. (100/156), (102/156), spp. (17/156), spp. (28/156), spp. (13/156), spp. (7/156), (8/156), spp. (1/156), and (1/156). The study of risk factors revealed that factors such as sex, age, and physiological condition may influence the diversity and level of infestation of animals by gastrointestinal parasites.
CONCLUSION
For better prevention of parasitism in these farms, it would be interesting to implement health monitoring and to ensure good hygiene. Finally, further studies would be needed to better evaluate the distribution of these parasites in Gabon and the involvement of these animals in the transmission cycle of parasitic zoonoses.
PubMed: 32095037
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1888-1896 -
Journal of Parasitology Research 2020Ga West Municipality in Ghana is predominantly rural with about forty-eight hard-to-reach communities. Several infectious diseases such as Buruli ulcer, tuberculosis,...
Ga West Municipality in Ghana is predominantly rural with about forty-eight hard-to-reach communities. Several infectious diseases such as Buruli ulcer, tuberculosis, yaws, schistosomiasis, and malaria are prevalent in the municipality. However, the prevalence and characteristics of enteroparasites in the municipality are unknown. Therefore, this cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of enteroparasites in these hard-to-reach communities. Samples were collected from five communities, namely, Opah, Otuaplem, Dedeman, Onyansana, and Manchie. A total of 538 stool samples were collected from the community dwellers. Each sample was examined with eosin-saline wet preparation and formol-ether concentration technique. Body mass index, haemoglobin, and albumin concentrations were used to assess nutritional status. Seven different parasite species were identified in 178 community dwellers (33.1% prevalence (95% CI: 0.29-0.37)). The individual prevalence of the identified parasites was (13.4%), (7.2%), (6.9%), (5.0%), hookworm (4.8%), (4.8%), and (1.6%). Among the 178 parasitized individuals, 68.0% were singly infected while 31.5% had dual parasitism. Significantly higher infections were associated with Onyansana dwellers ( = 0.019), participants aged 16-20 years ( = 0.006), unmarried participants ( < 0.001), those without formal education ( = 0.044), and crop farmers ( = 0.044). However, among the Akan tribe ( = 0.015), Christians ( = 0.03), and participants with higher incomes ( = 0.012), infections were found to be lower. Compared to monoparasitism, dual parasitism was significantly associated with underweight (17.8 vs. 20.3 kg/m), anaemia (7.7 vs. 9.8 g/dL), and malnutrition (27.6 vs. 31.9 g/L of albumin concentration). These findings underscore the fact that the Ga West Municipality is heavily burdened with different species of enteroparasites. Therefore, education on personal hygiene to reduce parasitic infections must be intensified while implementing regular mass deworming exercise in the municipality.
PubMed: 33029386
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890998 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Feb 2020Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the...
Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the genotype of Balantidium isolated from Eurasian wild boars in Bushehr province, Southwestern Iran. Twenty-five faecal samples, originating from 25 wild boars captivated in our previous study, were processed. DNA was extracted from the faecal samples and PCR-amplified, targeting an ITS1-5.8s-rRNA-ITS2 region of Balantidium genome. PCR product was purified from the gel, and sequenced. BLAST analysis was performed in order to compare our isolates with other previously reported ones. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, using MegaX software, to find out the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates. With PCR it was possible to detect Balantidium DNA in the faecal samples of 13 out of 25 (52%) of the wild boars. BLAST analysis of seven isolates revealed that the isolates belong to the newly introduced genus Neobalantidium coli. Sequences of three isolates were deposited in the GenBank. Moreover, molecular analysis revealed six areas of nucleotide differences within the isolates and nine areas of difference between the sequences obtained in this study and those available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences of isolates of this study have up to 2.2% dissimilarity from those published in the GenBank. The findings of this study, for the first time, revealed that some of the isolates of Balantidium originating from wild boars in Southwestern Iran belonged to the N. coli.
Topics: Animals; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; Genotype; Iran; Phylogeny; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 31650710
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.210