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Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Aug 2023spp. is a unicellular enteric protozoan parasite in humans with a controversial role in disease etiology. It is common in developing countries among immunocompromised... (Review)
Review
spp. is a unicellular enteric protozoan parasite in humans with a controversial role in disease etiology. It is common in developing countries among immunocompromised patients and people who have close contact with animals. In this study, we have systematically reviewed previous studies on the distribution and genotypes of human infection in Peninsular Malaysia. Studies examining the prevalence of in diverse demographics, including rural, urban, comorbid conditions, and high-risk populations, were taken into consideration. The infection has been reported in nine states; the total percentage of infection was 17.8% (1671/9397), with the most cases in Pahang (27.3%) and the least in Johor (3.4%). Molecular studies revealed the presence of six subtypes: ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST6. ST3 was reported as the predominant subtype in all the states, with a prevalence of 54.7% (338/618). The findings provide greater clarity on the epidemiology of in Malaysia, which will help in policy making towards planning and strategizing control measures against the parasite.
PubMed: 37624353
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080415 -
Gastroenterology and Hepatology From... 2022This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the subtyped sp. isolated from humans in Iran. (Review)
Review
AIM
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the subtyped sp. isolated from humans in Iran.
BACKGROUND
sp. is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan that infects humans as well as domestic and wild animals, i.e. mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods.
METHODS
A comprehensive search for papers published before April 2022 was undertaken utilizing English and Persian databases. The following MeSH keywords were used in the electronic search: ( sp.) AND (molecular OR subtype) AND (prevalence OR epidemiology) AND Iran. The quality of the included studies was evaluated. Thereafter, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios regarding the included studies.
RESULTS
A total of 32 studies comprised of five case-control studies and 27 cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of subtyped sp. in Iran was estimated to be 10% (95% confidence interval: 6 to 15%). Eight subtypes of sp. (ST1- ST7 and ST9) were identified in our study, of which ST3 was the most common subtype (0.04); 0.02-0.07). The difference in subtypes between two case and control groups in reported studies was not significant, but the odds ratio of infection by ST3 (0.98; 95% CI, 0.30 to 3.20) was higher in cases.
CONCLUSION
The current systematic review showed that with the exception of ST8 and ST12, all human sp. subtypes reported in the world are found in different parts of Iran.
PubMed: 36762220
DOI: 10.22037/ghfbb.v15i4.2475 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... Mar 2022Recently, there have been several findings that showed intestinal colonisation of () as a risk factor to the worsening of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, studies have...
BACKGROUND
Recently, there have been several findings that showed intestinal colonisation of () as a risk factor to the worsening of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, studies have shown controversial results in the pathogenicity of .
AIM
To review systematically the evidence available on the association between CRC and and the prevalence of in CRC patients and to investigate cytopathic and immunological effects of in and studies.
METHODS
PRISMA guidelines were utilised in conducting this systematic review. Original articles published before February 2, 2020 were included. PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google scholar databases were searched. Manual searching was carried out to find articles missed during the online search.
RESULTS
Out of 12 studies selected for this systematic review, seven studies confirmed the prevalence of and found it to be between 2%-28% in CRC patients, whereby subtype 1 and subtype 3 were predominantly seen. A total of four studies employing human colorectal carcinoma cell line study models showed significant cytopathic and immunological effects of . In addition, one experimental animal model study showed that there was a significant effect of infection with on exacerbation of colorectal carcinogenesis.
CONCLUSION
is a commonly identified microorganism in CRC patients. These studies have provided supportive data that could exacerbate existing CRC alteration in host immune response and increased oxidative damage. Future studies of CRC and should attempt to determine the various stages of CRC that are most likely to be associated with and its relationship with other intestinal bacteria.
PubMed: 35321272
DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i3.734 -
Infectious Agents and Cancer Jun 2022Intestinal protozoa Blastocystis hominis and Cryptosporidium spp. are two influential factors in intestinal complications and malignancies. In present study, we... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Intestinal protozoa Blastocystis hominis and Cryptosporidium spp. are two influential factors in intestinal complications and malignancies. In present study, we estimated the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) of the two parasites in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and their possible association with the deadly disease.
METHOD
Our systematic search was conducted for published researches between January 1, 2000 and April 30, 2022 by using four international databases include Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science as well as Google scholar search engine. The random- and fixed-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence, OR, and 95% confidence interval (CI) by comprehensive meta-analysis (V2.2, Bio stat) software. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied.
RESULTS
Thirteen papers (seven case-control and six cross-sectional studies) for B. hominis/CRC and six papers (two case-control and four cross-sectional studies) for Cryptosporidium spp./CRC were eligible to include in data synthesis. Pooled prevalence of B. hominis and Cryptosporidium spp. in CRC patients was calculated to be 26.8% (95% CI 19.4-35.7%) and 12.7% (95% CI 6.8-22.5%), respectively. Based on case-control studies, significant difference was found between case and controls in both protozoa (B. hominis OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.39-3.18% vs. Cryptosporidium spp. OR 5.06; 95% CI 1.8-13.6%). Considering the Blastocystis subtypes, ST1 (5/6; 83.33% studies) and ST3 (5/6; 83.33% studies) had the highest number of reports in CRC patients. Regarding the Cryptosporidium species, only C. parvum and C. hominis were reported.
CONCLUSION
Given the significant prevalence of both parasites in CRC patients and their statistically significant association, there is a need to pay more attention to these two intestinal parasites in under treatment patients.
PubMed: 35715853
DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00447-x -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2022Blastocystis is a common intestinal protozoa found in animal and human fecal samples, with over 1 billion individuals infected worldwide. Since domestication, dogs and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Blastocystis is a common intestinal protozoa found in animal and human fecal samples, with over 1 billion individuals infected worldwide. Since domestication, dogs and cats have had a close bond with humans. However, their close proximity poses a potential health risk since they may harbor several zoonotic agents. A global estimate of Blastocystis infection and subtype (ST) distribution in dogs and cats would therefore be of great health importance to humans.
METHODS
We performed a comprehensive systematic search of four English-language databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science) for relevant articles up to 8 November 2021. The random-effects model was used to make pooled estimates with confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
In total, we identified 49 publications that met our inclusion criteria and subsequently analyzed the 65 datasets in these articles, of which 23 and 42 datasets were on cats and dogs, respectively. Among the 2934 cats included in the 23 datasets, which involved 16 countries, the prevalence rate of Blastocystis infection was 9.3% (95% CI 5.3-15.9%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was slightly lower [7%, 95% CI 4.7-10.4%) among the 7946 dogs included in the 42 datasets, involving 23 countries. The sensitivity analysis showed that no remarkable variation in the estimates upon the stepwise removal of each dataset. Higher ST diversity was found among the examined dogs (ST1-8, ST10, ST23, ST24) than among cats (ST1-4, ST10, ST14). Among dogs, ST3 was the most frequent ST (41.3%), followed by ST2 (39.3%), ST1 (30.9%), ST4 (13.4%), ST8 (12.7%), ST10 (11%) and ST5 (8.1%). Also among dogs, each of ST6, ST7, ST23 and ST24 was observed in only one study. Of the ST found in the cats examined, ST4 (29.5%), followed by ST10 (22.5%), ST1 (19.8%) and ST3 (17.6%) were the most common. A single study also reported the presence of both ST2 and ST14 in cats. With respect to zoonotic Blastocystis STs (ST1-ST9 and ST12), eight were reported from dogs (ST1-ST8) and four were isolated from cats (ST1-ST4), showing the implication of dog and cats in zoonotic transmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, our results show that elucidation of the true epidemiology and ST distribution of Blastocystis in dogs and cats demands more comprehensive studies, particularly in the negelected regions of the world.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA, Protozoan; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Feces; Genetic Variation; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 35733146
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05351-2 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2020Blastocystis sp. affects a wide variety of animals and is the most common protozoan in human fecal samples with potential pandemic distribution. In the present study, a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Blastocystis sp. affects a wide variety of animals and is the most common protozoan in human fecal samples with potential pandemic distribution. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis sp. in different classes of hosts in Brazil.
METHODS
Studies that analyzed hosts of various classes, including humans, domestic animals, wild animals or captive animals, were considered. The pooled prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was estimated by random effects models.
RESULTS
For humans, similar prevalence rates were found for males (31.0%, 95% CI: 17.0-45.0%; weight 10%) and females (28.0%, 95% CI: 16.0-41.0%; weight 10%); the state of Mato Grosso do Sul showed the highest prevalence, with 41.0% positivity (95% CI: 36.0-46.0%; weight 2.9%). The prevalence among immunocompromised patients was 5.0% (95% CI: 3.0-7.0%; weight 10%), and the most common cause of immunosuppression was hemodialysis, with 23.0% (95% CI: 17.0-29.0%; weight 12.4%). Among classifications according to interaction with humans, wild and domestic animals presented values of 19.0% (95% CI: 7.0-31.0%; weight 42.6%) and 17.0% (95% CI: 13.0-21.0%; weight 29.6%), respectively. Among these animals, mammals (39.0%, 95% CI: 21.0-56.0%; weight 47.3%) and birds (18.0%, 95% CI: 10.0-27.0%; weight 39.3%) exhibited the highest prevalence. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. revealed greater genetic diversity for clades of subtypes (STs) ST1, ST2 and ST3.
CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in the Brazilian human population was 24%, which reflects the reality in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, where prevalence rates of up to 40% were found. Among animals, mammals and birds exhibited the highest prevalence.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Animals, Zoo; Birds; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Brazil; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Mammals; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 31937366
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3900-2 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Feb 2024spp. are among the few enteric parasites with a prevalence that can reach up to approximately 80% in communities of developing countries. This systematic review updates... (Review)
Review
spp. are among the few enteric parasites with a prevalence that can reach up to approximately 80% in communities of developing countries. This systematic review updates and summarizes available literature on the molecular prevalence and subtype distribution of spp. in Latin American people. This work follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The literature revised covers from 1 January 2015 to 6 October 2023 in seven different scientific databases, and the material was selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to data found in the 36 selected articles, the prevalence of spp. in Latin America ranged between 5.8% (Bolivian rural communities) and 94.0% (Colombian general public). Generally, genomic DNA was extracted from approximately 200 mg fecal sediments using commercial kits, such as the QIAamp Stool Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) or the Norgen Stool DNA Isolation Kit (Norgen Biotek Corporation, Thorold, ON, Canada). Subtype-specific primers (such as the couple of primers BhRDr-RD5) developed from unique sequences of the SSU rRNA gene were applied to subtyping. Ten specific subtypes (STs) were found as well as various mixed infections, and the most circulating STs were in the order ST3, ST1, ST2, and ST4. The most recent data about spp. molecular epidemiology and the STs in communities of Latin America are limited to studies from specific countries. Novel scientific data from the other countries are required to obtain a complete picture and truly understand the distribution and prevalence of spp. and the STs.
PubMed: 38393127
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9020038 -
Gut Pathogens May 2021Poor self-care skills and personal hygiene resulted from limitations in learning and understanding, put intellectually disabled individuals at greater risk for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Poor self-care skills and personal hygiene resulted from limitations in learning and understanding, put intellectually disabled individuals at greater risk for intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). Despite several regional reports in Iran, the overall burden on IPIs among intellectually disabled individuals is poorly understood. Hence, the present study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of IPIs among intellectually disabled individuals in Iran.
METHODS
Using the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data retrieved from seven electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest for English articles, as well as SID and Magiran for Persian) from their inception up to December 2020. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and depicted as a forest plot, while heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q-test.
RESULTS
Exactly 1263 of the 3004 intellectually disabled individuals examined by 14 studies across 10 provinces of Iran were positive for IPIs. Overall pooled prevalence estimate was 41% (95% CI 29-53%) with a range of 21% (95% CI 10-32%) to 68% (95% CI 55-80%) across sub-groups. Entamoeba coli (16.2%; 95% CI 10.3-22%), Blastocystis spp. (12.2%; 95% CI 7.2-17.2%), and Giardia duodenalis (11.9%; 95% CI 7.4-16.3%) were the most prevalent protozoan species. In terms of helminthic agents, the most prevalent species were Enterobius vermicularis (11.3%; 95% CI 6.3-16.3%) followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (10.9%; 95% CI 5.0-16.9%) and Hymenolepis nana (2.8%; 95% CI 0.4-5.2%) CONCLUSION: IPIs are highly prevalent among intellectually disabled individuals in Iran. Improving the health status and implementing infectious disease prevention strategies in rehabilitation centers, health promotion interventions to improve personal hygiene of intellectually disabled individuals, as well as utilize sensitive diagnostic methods besides routine stool examination techniques, and treatment of infected individuals will help in the control of these infections among intellectually disabled individuals.
PubMed: 33933150
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-021-00424-6 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Nov 2017Globally, approximately 2 billion people lack microbiologically safe drinking water. Boiling is the most prevalent household water treatment method, yet evidence of its... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Globally, approximately 2 billion people lack microbiologically safe drinking water. Boiling is the most prevalent household water treatment method, yet evidence of its health impact is limited. To conduct this systematic review, we searched four online databases with no limitations on language or publication date. Studies were eligible if health outcomes were measured for participants who reported consuming boiled and untreated water. We used reported and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pathogen-specific and pooled effects by organism group and nonspecific diarrhea. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using , meta-regression, and funnel plots; study quality was also assessed. Of the 1,998 records identified, 27 met inclusion criteria and reported extractable data. We found evidence of a significant protective effect of boiling for infections (OR = 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13-0.79, = 4 studies), (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17-0.69, = 3), protozoal infections overall (pooled OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.43-0.86, = 11), viral infections overall (pooled OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.7-0.98, = 4), and nonspecific diarrheal outcomes (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.45-0.77, = 7). We found no evidence of a protective effect for helminthic infections. Although our study was limited by the use of self-reported boiling and non-experimental designs, the evidence suggests that boiling provides measureable health benefits for pathogens whose transmission routes are primarily water based. Consequently, we believe a randomized controlled trial of boiling adherence and health outcomes is needed.
Topics: Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Drinking Water; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Humans; Water Microbiology; Water Purification; Waterborne Diseases
PubMed: 29016318
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0190 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2019Blastocystis sp., a unicellular intestinal parasite in humans and animals worldwide, is frequently found in immunocompromized patients and people in close contact with...
Blastocystis sp., a unicellular intestinal parasite in humans and animals worldwide, is frequently found in immunocompromized patients and people in close contact with animals. Here, we reviewed recent studies on the prevalence, subtypes, and distribution of Blastocystis infection in humans and animals in China. To date, more than 12 provinces have reported Blastocystis infection in humans, with identification of six different subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST6). The overall infection rate reported was 3.37% (3625/107,695), with the lowest prevalence (0.80%) in Fujian province and the highest prevalence (100%) in Guangdong province. ST3 (62%, 186/300) was the most dominant subtype, identified in all tested provinces in China. A total of eight provinces have reported Blastocystis infection in various animals, with the overall prevalence being 24.66% (1202/4874). Molecular analysis revealed 14 subtypes that infected animals, including 10 known (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST13, ST14), and 4 novel (Novel1, Novel2, Novel3, Novel4) subtypes. ST5 was the dominant subtype infecting artiodactyls (44.1%, 460/1044), while ST1 commonly infected carnivores (45.5%, 5/11). These findings provide insights into the epidemiological behavior of Blastocystis sp. in China, and could help in developing effective control strategies against the parasite.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; China; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Feces; Genetic Variation; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 31309925
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019042