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Parasites & Vectors Sep 2017Intestinal parasitosis is one of several health concerns about immigrants who travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. Reliable rapid sensitive diagnostic tools, for...
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitosis is one of several health concerns about immigrants who travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. Reliable rapid sensitive diagnostic tools, for use in non-endemic regions, are urgently required to enable frequent assessment of immigrant workers in jobs where risk of local transmission is a particular concern (e.g. food-handlers). We assessed the burden of intestinal protozoa in newly arrived immigrants and those applying for renewal of work permits in Qatar (n = 735), by both microscopic examination of stool samples and by Real Time PCR methodology.
RESULTS
Prevalence was considerably higher using RT-PCR compared with coproscopy (Blastocystis hominis: 65.2 vs 7.6%; Giardia duodenalis: 14.3 vs 2.9%; Entamoeba histolytica: 1.6 vs 1.2%). Dientamoeba fragilis was sought only by RT-PCR (prevalence of 25.4%). Prevalence of G. duodenalis was significantly higher in male subjects, associated with blue collar workers and declined over time. Prevalence of B. hominis varied significantly with region of origin of subjects with highest values recorded among African immigrants. Prevalence of D. fragilis also varied with region of origin of subjects, and was lower in young female subjects and in renewal applicants compared with first-time applicants for work permits.
CONCLUSIONS
We strongly recommend that, henceforth, intestinal protozoa should be screened by RT-PCR, with a particular focus on frequent assessment of immigrant food-handlers.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Blastocystis hominis; DNA, Protozoan; Dientamoeba; Emigrants and Immigrants; Entamoeba histolytica; Feces; Female; Giardia lamblia; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Intestines; Male; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Qatar; Young Adult
PubMed: 28877704
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2346-7 -
Helminthologia Mar 2023Cooks have an important role in the dissemination and transmission of enteropathogenic microorganisms, including intestinal parasites such as sp. responsible for...
Cooks have an important role in the dissemination and transmission of enteropathogenic microorganisms, including intestinal parasites such as sp. responsible for blastocystosis. Blastocystis is a unicellular, anaerobic, eukaryotic protist that colonizes the intestinal tract of many hosts. It is the most common parasite found in human stool. It can be the cause of acute digestive disorders which could lead to chronic syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of this protozoan in cooks in the Fez-Meknes region. This is a retrospective descriptive analytical study carried out in the Parasitology-Mycology laboratory of the Moulay Ismail Military Hospital in Meknes. Out of a total of 200 parasitological examinations of cooks' stools, 88 (44 %) cases were positive for intestinal parasites. sp. is the most frequently encountered protozoan in our study. It represents 39.78 % of those infected. It is associated in 48.57 % of cases with another intestinal parasite. () is the most found in 31.43 % of co-infections, respectively followed by () (8.57 %), () (5.71 %) and () (2.86 %). Our results showed a high prevalence of sp. in the kitchen staff population. These workers must be considered as reservoirs of this microorganism, and therefore a source of infection in those around them. Consequently, preventive measures are necessary, including raising awareness among this population in order to effectively fight against the infestation by this protozoan in particular and other parasites in general.
PubMed: 38659650
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0002 -
Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni Jul 2018In people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), several complaints related to the gastrointestinal system, mainly diarrhea can be determined. In our study, we...
In people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), several complaints related to the gastrointestinal system, mainly diarrhea can be determined. In our study, we aimed to detect the existence of intestinal parasites with conventional methods based on microscopy and with molecular methods based on multiplex-PCR among 90 anti-retroviral treatment (ART) naive or ART adherent HIV/AIDS cases. The existence of Giardia spp., Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Dientamoeba spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were searched in stool samples and the relation with the existence of these parasites and demographic/clinical data of the cases were determined. The demographic and clinical data of the participants included in the study were as follows; the average age was 34.02 ± 9.7 years, average time of diagnosis was 2.4 ± 1.7 years. Gender distribution was as follows; 85.6% male and 14.4% female. HIV transmission was related with heterosexual intercourse in 60%, homosexual intercourse in 33.3%, blood/blood products contact in 1.1% and with unknown routes in 5.6% of the cases. Fifty percent of the patients were in pre-ART and 50% was in on-ART state. The average CD4+ T lymphocyte count was detected as 400 cells/mm3 and the median of viral load was 114.527 copies/ml. An overall prevalence of at least one intestinal parasitic infection was recorded as 36.7% and the prevalence of this infection due to Blastocystis spp. was 22.2%, followed by Dientamoeba spp. (13.3%), E.histolytica (4.4%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.3%), Giardia spp. (2.2%) and multiple parasitic infections (7.7%). The type of sexual behaviours related with the detection of intestinal parasites were statistically significant especially in homosexual intercourse (p< 0.001). The increase in CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were reversely associated (p= 0.062) and the increase in the levels of viral load were positively associated (p< 0.001) with detection rate of intestinal parasite. The detection of parasites by molecular methods was statistically significant in pre-ART participants (p= 0.002) and participants with diarrhea (p= 0.019). In the present study, the increase in the frequency of intestinal parasitic infections has shown that essential interventions are required. In all HIV/AIDS cases, routine parasitic screening should be performed by more sensitive methods to manage early and specific treatment.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Feces; Female; Follow-Up Studies; HIV; HIV Infections; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Parasites; Prevalence; Young Adult
PubMed: 30156513
DOI: 10.5578/mb.66971 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Oct 2019Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) which develops without a known stimulation is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema or both for longer than six...
INTRODUCTION
Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) which develops without a known stimulation is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema or both for longer than six weeks. Infections, autoimmunity, food intolerance and internal parasitic infections are supposed to be underlying causes of CSU. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal parasites in children and adult patients diagnosed as CSU, to determine the frequency of parasites in chronic urticaria, and to compare these patients with healthy demographic control groups.
METHODOLOGY
Seventy six children and 38 adult patients with CSU were examined in terms of parasitic infections. The patients whom parasites were detected received anti-parasitic therapy and the improvements in CSU symptoms were evaluated. Stool samples were examined with direct microscopic examination (native-lugol), stool concentration and trichrome staining methods.
RESULTS
In pediatric patient group, 18.4% (n = 14) of the stool samples were positive for Blastocystis sp., 2.6% (n = 2), Dientamoeba fragilis and 1.3% (n = 1), Giardia duodenalis. In adult patient group, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 18.4% (n = 7) of the stool samples. Anti-parasitic therapy yielded substantial improvement in urticaria symptoms in 57.1% of pediatric and 60.0% of adult patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis may play a role in chronic urticaria which seriously disrupts the patient's quality of life. Parasitic infections should not be neglected in patients with cutaneous manifestations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antiparasitic Agents; Blastocystis; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Urticaria; Dientamoeba; Eosinophils; Female; Giardia lamblia; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Turkey; Young Adult
PubMed: 32084024
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.11552 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2021
Comparison of five commercial real-time PCRs for in-vitro diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Dientamoeba fragilis in human stool samples.
Topics: Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Cyclospora; Dientamoeba; Entamoeba histolytica; Feces; Giardia lamblia; Giardiasis; Humans; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 33812018
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102042 -
Clinical and Translational... Jun 2018A low prevalence of intestinal parasites has been identified in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but potential associations with alterations in the...
OBJECTIVE
A low prevalence of intestinal parasites has been identified in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but potential associations with alterations in the bacterial microbiome remain largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the relationship between parasites and bacteria in individuals with IBS in order to identify potential trans-kingdom microbial characteristics.
DESIGN
Stool samples were collected from the Danish background population classified into IBS (n = 119), unspecific gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 114), and asymptomatic controls (n = 186) based on the Rome III criteria for IBS. Bacterial (16S) and eukaryotic (18S) ribosomal DNA was sequenced, and 18S data were merged with data from conventional parasite laboratory tests. The bacterial microbiome was analyzed according to symptom group and parasite colonization status.
RESULTS
Bacterial richness and diversity were similar for IBS and controls but higher in those with unspecific GI symptoms. A higher abundance of Bacteroides and a lower abundance of Faecalibacterium were detected in individuals with IBS and unspecific GI symptoms compared with controls. Principal component analyses indicated differences in bacterial composition related to parasite colonization rather than symptom group. Parasites were detected at the lowest frequency in the IBS group (39%) and in samples dominated by Bacteroides. Higher bacterial richness and diversity were found in parasite-positive samples from controls and those with unspecific GI symptoms but not in individuals with IBS.
CONCLUSION
Parasite colonization, rather than bacterial composition, differed between individuals with IBS and healthy controls. Parasite colonization was associated to a rich and diverse bacterial microbiome; however, this association was altered in IBS.
Topics: Adult; Bacteria; Blastocystis; Dientamoeba; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Intestines; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Principal Component Analysis; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
PubMed: 29915224
DOI: 10.1038/s41424-018-0027-2 -
Gut Pathogens Aug 2022Kenya introduced Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) vaccination into its national immunization programme beginning July 2014. The impact of this...
BACKGROUND
Kenya introduced Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) vaccination into its national immunization programme beginning July 2014. The impact of this vaccination program on the local epidemiology of various known enteropathogens is not fully understood.
METHODS
We used a custom TaqMan Array Card (TAC) to screen for 28 different enteropathogens in 718 stools from children aged less than 13 years admitted to Kilifi County Hospital, coastal Kenya, following presentation with diarrhea in 2013 (before vaccine introduction) and in 2016-2018 (after vaccine introduction). Pathogen positivity rate differences between pre- and post-Rotarix vaccination introduction were examined using both univariate and multivariable logistic regression models.
RESULTS
In 665 specimens (92.6%), one or more enteropathogen was detected, while in 323 specimens (48.6%) three or more enteropathogens were detected. The top six detected enteropathogens were: enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC; 42.1%), enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC; 30.2%), enterovirus (26.9%), rotavirus group A (RVA; 24.8%), parechovirus (16.6%) and norovirus GI/GII (14.4%). Post-rotavirus vaccine introduction, there was a significant increase in the proportion of samples testing positive for EAggEC (35.7% vs. 45.3%, p = 0.014), cytomegalovirus (4.2% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.008), Vibrio cholerae (0.0% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.019), Strongyloides species (0.8% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.048) and Dientamoeba fragilis (2.1% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.004). Although not reaching statistical significance, the positivity rate of adenovirus 40/41 (5.8% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.444), norovirus GI/GII (11.2% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.089), Shigella species (8.7% vs. 13.0%, p = 0.092) and Cryptosporidium spp. (11.6% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.261) appeared to increase post-vaccine introduction. Conversely, the positivity rate of sapovirus decreased significantly post-vaccine introduction (7.8% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.030) while that of RVA appeared not to change (27.4% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.253). More enteropathogen coinfections were detected per child post-vaccine introduction compared to before (mean: 2.7 vs. 2.3; p = 0.0025).
CONCLUSIONS
In this rural Coastal Kenya setting, childhood enteropathogen infection burden was high both pre- and post-rotavirus vaccination introduction. Children who had diarrheal admissions post-vaccination showed an increase in coinfections and changes in specific enteropathogen positivity rates. This study highlights the utility of multipathogen detection platforms such as TAC in understanding etiology of childhood acute gastroenteritis in resource-limited regions.
PubMed: 35915480
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-022-00506-z -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi 2013We investigated the prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients and evaluated whether there was a possible link between IBS and these...
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients and evaluated whether there was a possible link between IBS and these parasitic infections.
METHODS
Stool specimens collected from 55 IBS patients, 80 patients with gastroenteritis as control group 1 (CG-1) and 50 healthy volunteers as control group 2 (CG-2) were included the study. Samples were examined by direct microscopy, trichrome staining and culture methods.
RESULTS
While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. between IBS patients and CG-1 (p > 0.05), a significant difference was found between IBS and CG-2 (p < 0.05). Patients with IBS were found to have five or more Blastocystis spp. per field than control groups. After eradication, all symptoms were cured in four patients, there were only constipation problems left in eleven patients and there were no changes in clinical findings in three patients. D. fragilis was not found in any of the samples.
CONCLUSION
The reason we did not find any D. fragilis may be due to the low infection rate in the region. However, significantly having five or more Blastocystis spp. per field (X40) in IBS patients and regression of IBS symptoms after treatment in most of the patients suggested a possible link between IBS and Blastocystis spp.
Topics: Adult; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Feces; Female; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Microscopy; Staining and Labeling
PubMed: 23955902
DOI: 10.5152/tpd.2013.19 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Jan 2018Food handlers play a significant role in the dissemination and transmission of enteropathogenic microorganisms, including intestinal parasites. The aim of this study was...
BACKGROUND
Food handlers play a significant role in the dissemination and transmission of enteropathogenic microorganisms, including intestinal parasites. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in food handlers of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 800 stool samples were randomly collected in a period of 6 months from Jun to Nov 2015. The diagnosis was made on direct wet mount, formalin-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen, and Trichrome stained slides.
RESULTS
34.9% of participants were positive for stool parasites. The most infected individuals were seen in the workers of bakeries 54.3%, factories 41.1% fast foods 35.7%, supermarkets 34.7%, restaurants 33.9%, offices 29.8%, butchers 27.3% and coffee shops 26.7% respectively (<0.05). The intestinal parasites were 24.3%, 8%, 6.8% and 4.3% respectively. Only two infections by (0.3%) and one by (0.1%) were detected in this study. Living in the workplace and direct contact with the raw foodstuff affected the prevalence of intestinal parasites (<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The use of concentration methods for the detection of intestinal parasites as well as continuous and effective education in short-term courses to promote hygienic behavior is suggested.
PubMed: 29318125
DOI: No ID Found -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Sep 2022This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of intestinal parasites in refugee and native patients who applied to a territory hospital in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of intestinal parasites in refugee and native patients who applied to a territory hospital in Turkey.
METHODS
A total of 17911 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2018 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively in terms of intestinal parasites. The patients' stool samples were investigated for the existence of intestinal parasites by direct wet mount preparation, formalin ether concentration technique and cellophane tape method. The data obtained were compared between patient groups according to the examination method.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of in refugee children was found twice higher than that in native patients and the most common symptom was abdominal pain in these patients. Intestinal parasite detection rates were significantly higher in the stool concentration method than in the direct wet mount examination. Cutaneous complaints and protein energy malnutrition/growth retardation were the most common clinical conditions besides gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with intestinal parasitosis.
CONCLUSION
In our study, the prevalence of sp. in refugees was found to be higher than in the normal population. Intestinal parasitic infections should be investigated with proper diagnostic methods especially in children with PEM/GR and cutaneous symptoms in addition to gastrointestinal problems.
Topics: Animals; Child; Hospitals; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Refugees; Retrospective Studies; Turkey
PubMed: 36094118
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.72691