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Food and Waterborne Parasitology Mar 2024and are foodborne parasites known for causing diarrhea. They accumulate in mussels grown on contaminated water bodies, due to the discharge of treated sewage from...
and are foodborne parasites known for causing diarrhea. They accumulate in mussels grown on contaminated water bodies, due to the discharge of treated sewage from sewage treatment plants (STP). Despite this, some countries like Chile do not include these parasites in the control or monitoring of sewage water. The objective of this research was to evaluate the contamination of . and from treated sewage (disinfected by chlorination) and Cholga mussels in a touristic rural cove from the bay of Concepción. Cholga mussels from commercial stores and a treated sewage sample were analyzed. spp. was identified by Ziehl-Neelsen-Staining (ZNS) and by direct-immunofluorescence assay (IFA) from ZNS-positive samples. was identified by PCR using locus SSU rDNA. and subtype ST3 were found in 40% and 45% of Cholga mussel samples, respectively, and both parasites were identified in the treated sewage. SSU rDNA gene alignment from Cholga mussels and treated sewage showed 89% of similarity, indicating that could be the same parasite in both samples. We describe the first evidence of possible contamination with these parasites from treated sewage to Cholga mussel suggesting an environmental contamination with high human risk. Based on these results, further studies will consider all the rural coves and STP from the bay to prevent possible contamination of these parasites.
PubMed: 38188968
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00214 -
Epidemiology and Health 2019Blastocystis hominis is a very common large intestinal protozoan with global prevalence in humans and non-human hosts. No precise statistics exist regarding the...
OBJECTIVES
Blastocystis hominis is a very common large intestinal protozoan with global prevalence in humans and non-human hosts. No precise statistics exist regarding the geographical distribution of Blastocystis that would enable the identification of high-risk communities. Therefore, the current research aimed to characterize the spatial patterns and demographic factors associated with B. hominis occurrence in northern Iran.
METHODS
The current study was performed among 4,788 individuals referred to health centers in Mazandaran Province, from whom stool samples were obtained. Socio-demographic data were gathered using a questionnaire. Samples were examined by a direct wet mount, the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, and trichrome staining. Moran local indicators of spatial association and a geographically weighted regression model were utilized to analyze the results.
RESULTS
Generally, the infection rate of Blastocystis parasites was 5.2%, and was considerably higher in the age group of 10-14 years (10.6%) than in other age groups (p=0.005). Our data showed important associations between the occurrence of B. hominis and age, residence, job, contact with domestic animals, anti-parasitic drug consumption, and elevation above sea level (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The current study characterized for the first time the infection rate and risk of B. hominis in the north of Iran, and produced a prediction map. It is expected that this map will help policymakers to plan and implement preventive measures in high-risk areas and to manage already-infected patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Blastocystis Infections; Blastocystis hominis; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Female; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Infant; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Spatial Analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 30999737
DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2019009 -
Biochimie May 2014The mitochondria have arisen as a consequence of endosymbiosis of an ancestral α-proteobacterium with a methane-producing archae. The main function of the canonical... (Review)
Review
The mitochondria have arisen as a consequence of endosymbiosis of an ancestral α-proteobacterium with a methane-producing archae. The main function of the canonical aerobic mitochondria include ATP generation via oxidative phosphorylation, heme and phospholipid synthesis, calcium homeostasis, programmed cell death, and the formation of iron-sulfur clusters. Under oxygen-restricted conditions, the mitochondrion has often undergone remarkable reductive alterations of its content and function, leading to the generation of mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs), such as mitosomes, hydrogenosomes, and mithochondrion-like organelles, which are found in a wide range of anaerobic/microaerophilic eukaryotes that include several medically important parasitic protists such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, as well as free-living protists such as Sawyeria marylandensis, Neocallimastix patriciarum, and Mastigamoeba balamuthi. The transformation from canonical aerobic mitochondria to MROs apparently have occurred in independent lineages, and resulted in the diversity of their components and functions. Due to medical and veterinary importance of the MRO-possessing human- and animal-pathogenic protozoa, their genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and biochemical evidence has been accumulated. Detailed analyses of the constituents and functions of the MROs in such anaerobic pathogenic protozoa, which reside oxygen-deprived or oxygen-poor environments such as the mammalian intestine and the genital organs, should illuminate the current evolutionary status of the MROs in these organisms, and give insight to environmental constraints that drive the evolution of eukaryotes and their organelles. In this review, we summarize and discuss the diverse metabolic functions and protein transport systems of the MROs from anaerobic parasitic protozoa.
Topics: Alveolata; Amoebozoa; Anaerobiosis; Biodiversity; Biological Evolution; Cryptophyta; Diplomonadida; Gene Expression Regulation; Genome, Mitochondrial; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Proteins; Neocallimastix; Phylogeny; Protein Transport
PubMed: 24316280
DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.11.018 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2020This study aims to assess the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (Ag Nps) alone and combined with metronidazole (Ag Nps + MTZ) as potential alternative therapeutic agents...
INTRODUCTION
This study aims to assess the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (Ag Nps) alone and combined with metronidazole (Ag Nps + MTZ) as potential alternative therapeutic agents for .
METHODS
The parasites were challenged with Ag Nps, Ag Nps + MTZ and MTZ. To assess the efficacy of drugs, counting of viable parasites was done after 1, 2, and 3 hours of adding the drugs.
RESULTS
count was reduced by 20.72%, 28.23%, and 18.92% after one hour of adding Ag Nps, Ag Nps + MTZ, and MTZ, respectively. Cysts count was further reduced by 51.49%, 61.61%, and 40.78% after 2 hours and by 71.69%, 79.67%, and 62.65% after 3 hours of adding the drugs in the same order, respectively.
CONCLUSION
There was a statistically significant difference (<0.05) in the in vitro growth inhibition of the parasite over the different time intervals when using the tested drugs against the control drug.
Topics: Antiprotozoal Agents; Blastocystis hominis; Drug Interactions; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Metronidazole; Silver
PubMed: 33116522
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S272532 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2023In developing countries, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection is still significant, particularly due to geographical and socioeconomic variables. The...
In developing countries, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection is still significant, particularly due to geographical and socioeconomic variables. The objective of this study was to map the distribution pattern of intestinal parasitic infection in a cohort of the Egyptian population, as well as to assess associated risk factors. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted on 386 patients. A single fecal specimen was collected from the study individual and examined microscopically for the detection of parasitic infection. DNA was extracted from all samples and utilized to amplify Entamoeba histolytica complex species, Cryptosporidium species, Giardia intestinalis assemblages, and Blastocystis species using PCRs. Typing of Cryptosporidium species and Giardia intestinalis assemblages was performed using restriction enzymes RasI and HaeIII respectively. While Blastocystis spp. subtypes (ST) were identified through sequencing of PCR products and phylogenetic analysis. 59.6% (230/386) of the study patients were infected with one or more intestinal parasites, 87.4%; 201/230 of patients had mono-parasitic infections, and 12.6%; 29/230 had multiple-parasitic infections (P < 0.0001). The predominant protozoa were Blastocystis, followed by Entamoeba histolytica complex, and Giardia intestinalis both as mono-parasites and as part of multiple parasites. Molecular assays showed that Blastocystis ST3, Entamoeba dispar, Giardia intestinalis assemblage B, and Cryptosporidium hominis were the most prevalent species. Intestinal parasitic infection was significantly associated with age, gender, residence, and water source. Multi-parasitism showed that residency in a rural area was a risk factor (OR 4.49; 95% CI 1.51-13.37; P = 0.007). Egyptians residing in rural areas have a high prevalence of intestinal multi-parasitism. Therefore, to lessen the prevalence and effects of these infections in this group, effective and sustainable control methods, providing health education focusing on good personal hygiene habits, and providing a safe drinking water supply should be implemented.
Topics: Humans; Cryptosporidiosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Phylogeny; Egypt; Cryptosporidium; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Giardia lamblia; Blastocystis; Entamoeba histolytica
PubMed: 37340037
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36320-z -
Przeglad Gastroenterologiczny 2022Diarrhoea is a common reason for hospitalization among travellers returning from the tropics. The aetiology is predominantly bacterial, but it can also be caused by...
Parasitic infections among patients hospitalized in the Tropical and Parasitic Clinic of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland between 2015 and 2018. Is there a relationship between protozoa infection and gastrointestinal symptoms?
INTRODUCTION
Diarrhoea is a common reason for hospitalization among travellers returning from the tropics. The aetiology is predominantly bacterial, but it can also be caused by parasites such as spp., and spp.
AIM
We analysed patients from the Poznan Tropical and Parasitic Clinic to evaluate the presence of parasitic infections and to find correlations between infections, journeys, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In our study we examined 2561 stool samples obtained from patients hospitalized in the Tropical and Parasitic Department of Poznan Medical University, Poland. Microscopic examinations of samples were performed based on a direct thin smear in 0.9% NaCl, which allowed the assessment of the presence of protozoa life stages.
RESULTS
In 106 (4.14%) of the 2561 examined samples we detected parasites, mainly from people coming back from tropical areas (61.32%). Mostly we detected sp. and . Fifty percent of patients suffered from gastrointestinal symptoms, so careful microscopic stool examination should be performed in every case in which intestinal pathology occurs, and certainly in travelling individuals.
CONCLUSIONS
Traveling is a real risk factor for protozoa infection. The most common parasites detected in the stool are sp. and . Parasitic coinfection should be taken into consideration as a pathologic agent in patients suffering from abdominal signs and persistent diarrhoea. Prolonged protozoa infection and its role in microbiota alterations requires further investigation.
PubMed: 36514455
DOI: 10.5114/pg.2022.121823 -
The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology... Jan 2019Several studies have shown that a change in microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, with the emergence...
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Several studies have shown that a change in microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, with the emergence in recent studies of differences according to the subtype of IBD and whether the disease is active or in remission, there has started to be research into the relationship between IBD and several microorganisms. Blastocystis hominis is primary among these organisms. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of B. hominis in the acute flare-up of ulcerative colitis (UC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 114 patients with UC were included in the study, with 52 in the active phase. The Mayo scoring system was used for the activity index. Patients determined with a flare-up agent other than B. hominis were excluded from the study. Fecal samples of the patients were examined by the polymerase chain reaction method for the presence of B. hominis.
RESULTS
B. hominis positivity was determined in 37 (34%) patients with UC. Of the patients, 17 (32.6%) were in the acute flare-up phase, and 20 (32.2%) were in remission (p=0.961). In 11 (64.7%) of the B. hominis positive patients, the disease severity was determined as mild-moderate (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study showed that while there was no difference between the active and remission phases in respect of B. hominis presence, there was milder involvement in those determined with B. hominis.
Topics: Adult; Blastocystis Infections; Blastocystis hominis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Feces; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Remission Induction; Symptom Flare Up
PubMed: 30644363
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2018.18498 -
Veterinary World Apr 2019The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases increases annually, and Indonesia has become the country with the fastest HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome... (Review)
Review
The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases increases annually, and Indonesia has become the country with the fastest HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic spread among the five Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia entered the critical phase of HIV/AIDS infections after 5 out of the 33 provinces, namely, Papua, Jakarta, Bali, West Java, and East Java, reported HIV/AIDS epidemic since 2004. In AIDS pathophysiology and immune-suppression are severe, thus, opportunistic intestinal parasitic infections that cause diarrhea in HIV infection may be fatal. Several studies have suggested that , , and are the most common intestinal protozoan parasites categorized as AIDS associated illness. Diarrhea caused by parasites is considerably suspected in the cases of chronic and persistent diarrhea in adults, in an era of increasing HIV/AIDS cases nowadays. The present review highlights the current advances in etiologic agents of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections among countries, epidemiology and prevalence, lifecycle, risk factors, examination methods, and treatment.
PubMed: 32546916
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.716-725 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Infections by the protist enteroparasites , spp., and, to a much lesser extent, sp. are common causes of childhood diarrhoea in low-income countries. This molecular...
Infections by the protist enteroparasites , spp., and, to a much lesser extent, sp. are common causes of childhood diarrhoea in low-income countries. This molecular epidemiological study assesses the frequency and molecular diversity of these pathogens in faecal samples from asymptomatic schoolchildren ( = 807) and symptomatic children seeking medical attention ( = 286) in Zambézia province, Mozambique. Detection and molecular characterisation of pathogens was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods coupled with Sanger sequencing. was the most prevalent enteric parasite found [41.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 38.8‒44.7%], followed by sp. (14.1%, 95% CI: 12.1‒16.3%), and spp. (1.6%, 95% CI: 0.9‒2.5%). Sequence analyses revealed the presence of assemblages A (7.0%, 3/43) and B (88.4%, 38/43) within -positive children. Four species were detected, including (30.8%; 4/13), (30.8%, 4/13), (30.8%, 4/13), and (7.6%, 1/13). Four subtypes were also identified including ST1 (22.7%; 35/154), ST2 (22.7%; 35/154), ST3 (45.5%; 70/154), and ST4 (9.1%; 14/154). Most of the genotyped samples were from asymptomatic children. This is the first report of and ST4 in Mozambique. Molecular data indicate that anthropic and zoonotic transmission (the latter at an unknown rate) are important spread pathways of diarrhoea-causing pathogens in Mozambique.
PubMed: 33668348
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030255 -
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology Oct 2015Blastocystis hominis is a common globally distributed parasite. The prevalence of this parasite has been shown to vary among different countries. Molecular studies have...
BACKGROUND
Blastocystis hominis is a common globally distributed parasite. The prevalence of this parasite has been shown to vary among different countries. Molecular studies have also shown that there is a high level of genetic diversity among Blastocystis spp. isolated from humans and animals. Extensive information on parasitic genotypes will aid in devising more effective strategies for the identification and potential control of these pathogenic parasites.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to gain information on the prevalence and abundance of Blastocystis subtypes in Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Over a period of 3 months, 1,410 stool samples were collected and examined by microscopy. Samples found to be positive for B. hominis were concentrated and phylogenetic analysis was subsequently performed. A questionnaire was completed by all study participants.
RESULTS
Blastocystis hominis was found to have a prevalence of 3.33% in the study population. There was no significant association of Blastocystis infection with age (P = 0.3) or gender (P = 0.57). The Blastocystis subtypes (ST) identified in this study were ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST7 with the most prevalent being ST4 (40.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of B. hominis in the study area was lower than that reported for most developed countries, and unlike in other countries in the Middle East, ST4 was the most prevalent subtype.
PubMed: 26587213
DOI: 10.5812/jjm.23930