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Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Feb 2007Parasitic infections are a major worldwide health problem, and they account for millions of infections and deaths each year. Most of the infections as well as the...
Parasitic infections are a major worldwide health problem, and they account for millions of infections and deaths each year. Most of the infections as well as the morbidity and mortality from these diseases occur in the developing world in rural regions. However, these diseases have become more common in Western countries and in big cities over the past 25 years. These changing disease patterns can be attributed to emigration from the third world to developed countries and migration of rural populations to the big cities in developing nations. These parasitic infections have protean manifestations and consequences. The medical problems range from chronic asymptomatic carrier to fulminant infections and even death. Several factors such as the host immune status, the infecting organism, and the availability of treatment all play key roles in the outcomes of parasitic colitides. The two major classes of parasites causing these infections are the helminthes (ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, enterobiasis, trichuriasis, and schistosomiasis) and the protozoa (Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Trypanosoma cruzi, Giardia lamblia, and Balantidium coli). This article summarizes the salient features of each parasite with respect to epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment. The vast majority of these infections have a self-limited clinical course or are easily treated with medical management, and surgery is rarely needed.
PubMed: 20011360
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-970199 -
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 -
The European Respiratory Journal Nov 2008Among the micro-organisms that may affect the respiratory apparatus are the protozoa. The diseases they may give rise to constitute a relatively uncommon group of... (Review)
Review
Among the micro-organisms that may affect the respiratory apparatus are the protozoa. The diseases they may give rise to constitute a relatively uncommon group of respiratory ailments with, in the majority of cases, an underlying clinical situation corresponding to states of suppressed immunity (AIDS, transplants, malign haemopathies, corticotherapy, etc.). Other factors, such as visits to endemic areas and immigration, also have to be taken into account. In view of the probable increase in the number of cases and the appearance of new emerging diseases, it is the intention of the present work to review the publications available, in different fields of medicine, that refer to the principal kinds of protozoa (Entamoeba, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Trichomonas, Lophomonas, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Babesia, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytozoon and Balantidium) and, at the same time, detail and comment on the latest findings on this subject.
Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cryptosporidium; Entamoeba histolytica; Eukaryota; Humans; Immune System; Leishmania; Pulmonary Medicine; Respiratory Tract Infections; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 18978136
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00022008 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2017Parasitic diseases of camels are major causes of impaired milk and meat production, decreases in performance or even death. Some camel parasites also represent a threat... (Review)
Review
Parasitic diseases of camels are major causes of impaired milk and meat production, decreases in performance or even death. Some camel parasites also represent a threat to human health. About 171,500 one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) and 100-300 two-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus) live in Iran. Knowledge of the biodiversity of their parasites is still limited. The present review covers all information about camel parasitic diseases in Iran published as dissertations and in both Iranian and international journals from 1931 to February 2017. Ten genera of Protozoa (Trypanosoma, Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Sarcocystis, Besnoitia, Theileria, Babesia and Balantidium), 48 helminth species detected in the digestive system, including three species of Trematoda, four species of Cestoda, and 41 species of Nematoda, as well as helminths from other organs - Echinococcus spp., Dictyocaulus filaria, Thelazia leesei, Dipetalonema evansi and Onchocerca fasciata - have so far been described in Iranian camels. Furthermore, 13 species of hard ticks, mange mites, the myiasis flies Cephalopina titillator and Wohlfahrtia magnifica, and immature stages of the Pentastomida Linguatula serrata have also been reported from camels of Iran. Camel parasitic diseases are a major issue in Iran in terms of economics and public health. The present review offers information for an integrated control programme against economically relevant parasites of camels.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Ectoparasitic Infestations; Iran; Parasitic Diseases, Animal
PubMed: 28617666
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017024 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Oct 2021In Ghana, Balantidium coli (B. coli) has been identified in vegetables and in pigs, although there is a paucity of data regarding human balantidiosis. This study sought...
BACKGROUND
In Ghana, Balantidium coli (B. coli) has been identified in vegetables and in pigs, although there is a paucity of data regarding human balantidiosis. This study sought to assess human B. coli infection in Ghana, factors associated with the infection as well as its association with haematological and biochemical parameters.
METHODS
Two pig rearing communities in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana, were involved in this study. Stool and blood samples were collected from pig farmers and their exposed household members as well as relevant information on potential associated factors. Eosin-saline wet preparation was done on the same day of stool samples were collected while formol ether concentration technique was performed later. Haematological, biochemical parameters and serum electrolytes were determined using Celltac MEK-6500 K, PKL-125 biochemical analyser, and FT-320 electrolyte analyser, respectively.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of balantidiosis was 10.4 %, significantly higher among farmers (21.7 %) than in exposed household members (5.8 %) (x = 17.8, p = 0.000025). Of the 43 infected individuals, 20.9 % were co-infected with either Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, or Schistosoma mansoni. In B. coli infection, mild to moderate anaemia together with a reduction in levels of platelet, albumin and, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions were observed. However, white blood cells were significantly elevated in infected states. Poor farming practices such as free-range systems, improper disposal of pig faeces, lack of use of protective farming clothing, and unavailability of dedicated farming clothing were found to be associated with B. coli infection status. Finally, frequent diarrhea (OR = 12.30, p = 0.006) with occult blood (OR = 25.94, p < 0.0001) were found to be predictors of B. coli infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Human balantidiosis is endemic in Ga West Municipality, Ghana. Individuals living closed to pig rearing communities presenting with frequent diarrhea with occult blood in stool should be screened and treated for balantidiosis to mitigate the clinical consequences of the infection.
Topics: Animals; Balantidiasis; Entamoeba histolytica; Ghana; Humans; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Swine
PubMed: 34627168
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06731-2 -
European Journal of Case Reports in... 2021Ciliocytophthoria is a phenomenon where degenerated cells in infections or malignancy can present as ciliated cells on microscopy and so may be confused with ciliated...
UNLABELLED
Ciliocytophthoria is a phenomenon where degenerated cells in infections or malignancy can present as ciliated cells on microscopy and so may be confused with ciliated parasitic infection. We present an interesting case of recurrent shortness of breath, misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations leading to unnecessary exposure to antimicrobials and steroids. The case was diagnosed as hyper-infection syndrome. Another finding worth mentioning was that ciliated cells noted on broncho-alveolar lavage were thought to be a co-infection with but were later confirmed as ciliocytophthoria.
LEARNING POINTS
Strongyloides hyper-infection syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient from an endemic area presenting with non-resolving respiratory symptoms.Ciliocytophthoria is a type of degenerative process where degenerated cells can appear ciliated on microscopy. appears to be similar but is much larger and has cilia circumferentially compared with ciliocytophthoria which has a polar distribution of cilia.
PubMed: 34377700
DOI: 10.12890/2021_002707 -
International Medical Case Reports... 2022is a ciliated protozoan parasite, which causes intestinal and extraintestinal infections in humans. It is transmitted feco-orally by ingesting infective cysts with food...
BACKGROUND
is a ciliated protozoan parasite, which causes intestinal and extraintestinal infections in humans. It is transmitted feco-orally by ingesting infective cysts with food and water. Urinary balantidiasis may occur through contamination (direct spread from the anal area), secondarily to rectovaginal fistula and following immune suppression. Data about cases of urinary balantidiasis are rare in the world. Currently, there are no documented reports of urinary balantidiasis in Ethiopia. As our understanding, there are only eleven documented reports of urinary balantidiasis globally. However, cases of urinary balantidiasis among pregnant women have not been documented yet. The aim of this report is to alarm health professionals for considering the occurrence of such rare cases and conduct diagnosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 24-year old pregnant woman was admitted due to severe preeclampsia and preterm delivery at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, gynecology ward. Her urine was presented to inpatient laboratory for routine urinalysis. We detected unusual and ciliated parasite from her urine sediment characterized by its active and rotary motility through its cilia and possessing macro- and micro-nuclei, several food vacuoles and ingested red blood cells inside the cytoplasm. Hematuria, many white blood cells and epithelial cells were also detected from the urine sediment, which suggests genito-urinary tract infection due to this parasite. This rare parasite finding was confirmed to be .
CONCLUSION
The route of transmission and extraintestinal existence from this woman's urine was unclear. It might be due to feco-oral transmission and spread to the genitourinary tract through direct anal contact. Moreover, it might be associated with immune suppression as she is pregnant woman.
PubMed: 35345500
DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S355536 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 2008Balantidium coli is a cosmopolitan parasitic-opportunistic pathogen that can be found throughout the world. Pigs are its reservoir hosts, and humans become infected... (Review)
Review
Balantidium coli is a cosmopolitan parasitic-opportunistic pathogen that can be found throughout the world. Pigs are its reservoir hosts, and humans become infected through direct or indirect contact with pigs. In rural areas and in some developing countries where pig and human fecal matter contaminates the water supply, there is a greater likelihood that balantidiosis may develop in humans. The infection may be subclinical in humans, as it mostly is in pigs, or may develop as a fulminant infection with bloody and mucus-containing diarrhea; this can lead to perforation of the colon. The disease responds to treatment with tetracycline or metronidazole. Balantidiosis is a disease that need never exist given access to clean water and a public health infrastructure that monitors the water supply and tracks infections. Its spread can be limited by sanitary measures and personal hygiene, but it is a disease that will be around as long as there are pigs. Immunocompromised individuals have developed balantidiosis without any direct contact with pigs, perhaps with rats or contaminated produce as a possible source of infection. For the clinician, balanatidiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for persistent diarrhea in travelers to or from Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, rural South America, or communities where close contact with domestic swine occurs. Warming of the earth's surface may provide a more favorable environment, even in the now-temperate areas of the world, for survival of trophic and cystic stages of Balantidium, and its prevalence may increase. Effective sanitation and uncontaminated water are the most useful weapons against infection. Fortunately, balantidiosis responds to antimicrobial therapy, and there have been no reports of resistance to the drugs of choice.
Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Asia, Southeastern; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Pacific Islands; Sanitation; South America; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 18854484
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00021-08 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Feb 2020Balantidium coli human infection predominantly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions in the world. Human case is extremely rare in China. This report details a case... (Review)
Review
Balantidium coli human infection predominantly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions in the world. Human case is extremely rare in China. This report details a case of B. coli infection in a 68-year-old man in China, who presented with history of abdominal pain, tenesmus, diarrhea with blood and was diagnosed as B. coli-caused dysentery. Our case indicates possible occurrence of Balantidium coli-related disease in cooler climates. This case is presented not only because of its rarity but also for future references.
Topics: Aged; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; China; Climate; Dysentery; Humans; Male
PubMed: 32145726
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.1.47