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Parasite Immunology Apr 2018The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between intestinal parasitic infection with intestinal and systemic inflammatory markers in school-aged...
The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between intestinal parasitic infection with intestinal and systemic inflammatory markers in school-aged children with high rates of obesity. Plasma concentrations of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), leptin, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured as systemic inflammation markers and count of stool leukocytes as marker of intestinal inflammation in 291 children (6-10 years). Intestinal parasitic infection was measured by stool examination. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds of having high inflammatory markers for each parasite or group of parasites as compared to parasite-free children while adjusting for sex, age, mother's educational level and percentage of body fat. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa infections was 12% and 36%, respectively. Parasitic infection was not associated with CRP, IL-6, IL-10 or TNF-α. Children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides (aOR: 5.91, 95% CI: 1.97-17.70) and Entamoeba coli (aOR: 8.46, 95% CI: 2.85-25.14) were more likely to have higher stool leucocytes than parasite-free children. Children with multiple infections (aOR: 10.60, 95% CI: 2.85-25.14) were more likely to have higher leptin concentrations than parasite-free children. Intestinal parasitic infection was not associated with systemic inflammation, but was associated with intestinal inflammation. Having multiple infections were associated with higher leptin concentrations.
Topics: Animals; Ascaris lumbricoides; C-Reactive Protein; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Entamoeba histolytica; Feces; Female; Helminthiasis; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Intestines; Leptin; Male; Obesity; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 29364525
DOI: 10.1111/pim.12518 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jan 2023Zoological gardens (Zoo) provide abode to various threatened animals or trafficked animals seized by the authorities, and injured and orphaned animals. Captive animals...
BACKGROUND
Zoological gardens (Zoo) provide abode to various threatened animals or trafficked animals seized by the authorities, and injured and orphaned animals. Captive animals are more susceptible to infection as they are under significant stress due to diet and space which further dwindle their resistance to parasitic infections.
OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in captive mammals housed at Central Zoo.
METHODS
Fresh faecal samples from three orders of mammals including carnivora (n = 24), rodentia (n = 28) and artiodactyla (n = 35) were examined by direct smear, faecal floatation and sedimentation techniques, and the McMaster technique was applied to quantify parasite eggs per gram (EPG)/oocysts per gram (OPG) of a faecal sample.
RESULTS
One or more parasite taxa were detected in 19.54% of the examined samples and five types of GIPs including one protozoon (Eimeria spp.) and four helminths (Strongyloides spp., Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. and hookworm) were recorded. The protozoan prevalence (6.89 %) was lower than helminths (12.64%). The Eimeria spp. was the most prevalent parasite (6.89%) with the highest OPG (427.77 ± 25.45SD) in spotted deer (Axis axis), and the highest prevalence was noticed among artiodactyla (34.28%) followed by carnivora (12.5%) and rodentia (7.14%). Artiodactyla had both single infection (25.71%) and double (8.57%) infection. The percentage of single infection (16.09%) was found to be higher than double infection (3.44%) among the captive mammals. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) had the highest EPG of 383.33 ± 76.37SD (Strongyloides spp.), while the spotted deer had the lowest EPG of 216.66 ± 76.37SD (hookworm).
CONCLUSIONS
Despite careful management practices, the parasitic infection may be attributed to the narrow enclosure, group housing and environmental contamination. The present finding provides baseline information on the parasitic infection in captive mammals, and can be used by zoo managers for the better life of captive animals.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Nepal; Deer; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Artiodactyla; Carnivora; Rodentia; Rodent Diseases
PubMed: 36495198
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1039 -
Bulletin of the World Health... 1991A total of 144 studies were analysed to examine the impact of improved water supply and sanitation facilities on ascariasis, diarrhoea, dracunculiasis, hookworm... (Review)
Review
A total of 144 studies were analysed to examine the impact of improved water supply and sanitation facilities on ascariasis, diarrhoea, dracunculiasis, hookworm infection, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. These diseases were selected because they are widespread and illustrate the variety of mechanisms through which improved water and sanitation can protect people. Disease-specific median reduction levels were calculated for all studies, and separately for the more methodologically rigorous ones. For the latter studies, the median reduction in morbidity for diarrhoea, trachoma, and ascariasis induced by water supplies and/or sanitation was 26%, 27%, and 29%, respectively; the median reduction for schistosomiasis and dracunculiasis was higher, at 77% and 78%, respectively. All studies of hookworm infection were flawed apart from one, which reported a 4% reduction in incidence. For hookworm infection, ascariasis, and schistosomiasis, the reduction in disease severity, as measured in egg counts, was greater than that in incidence or prevalence. Child mortality fell by 55%, which suggests that water and sanitation have a substantial impact on child survival. Water for personal and domestic hygiene was important in reducing the rates of ascariasis, diarrhoea, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. Sanitation facilities decreased diarrhoea morbidity and mortality and the severity of hookworm infection. Better water quality reduced the incidence of dracunculiasis, but its role in diarrhoeal disease control was less important than that of sanitation and hygiene.
Topics: Ascariasis; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Dracunculiasis; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Sanitation; Schistosomiasis; Trachoma; Water Supply
PubMed: 1835675
DOI: No ID Found -
Cell Death and Differentiation Jan 2009Autophagy is emerging as a central component of antimicrobial host defense against diverse viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. In addition to pathogen... (Review)
Review
Autophagy is emerging as a central component of antimicrobial host defense against diverse viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. In addition to pathogen degradation, autophagy has other functions during infection such as innate and adaptive immune activation. As an important host defense pathway, microbes have also evolved mechanisms to evade, subvert, or exploit autophagy. Additionally, some fungal pathogens harness autophagy within their own cells to promote pathogenesis. This review will highlight our current understanding of autophagy in infection, focusing on the most recent advances in the field, and will discuss the potential implications of these studies in the design of anti-infective therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Autophagy; Bacterial Infections; Biological Evolution; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 18772897
DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2008.130 -
BMC Research Notes Nov 2019This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health...
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Lalo Kile district, Oromia, Western Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Lalo Kile district, Oromia, Western Ethiopia.
RESULTS
Out of the 315 respondents, the mean age was 24.7 ± 2.54 years ranging between 15 and 44 years. The majority of the respondents were Oromo in ethnicity (90.2%) and protestant in religion (83.2%) and almost all (99%) of the study participants were married. Two hundred twenty-six (72%) of pregnant women were attended at least primary school and two hundred forty-six (78.1%) of the respondents were from farmer households. About half of the households (51.7%) had a monthly income of greater than 35 USD. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 138 (43.8%) with the predominance of hookworm (33.7%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (7.3%). Being a farmer [AOR, 95% CI 7.3 (1.46, 37.00), P = 0.03], walking barefooted [AOR, 95% CI 6.13 (1.98, 19.00), P = 0.002] and absence of proper handwashing after latrine [AOR, 95% CI 5.36 (1.78, 16.00), P = 0.003] were significantly associated with occurrence of the intestinal parasitic infection.
Topics: Ethiopia; Female; Health Facilities; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Logistic Models; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Pregnant Women; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Public Health; Young Adult
PubMed: 31703749
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4781-3 -
Annals of Parasitology 2016Most important infectious diseases which pose a risk to human health and life are associated with parasites transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, or from animal... (Review)
Review
Most important infectious diseases which pose a risk to human health and life are associated with parasites transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, or from animal to man. Some of these (malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, alveococcosis, cystic echinococcosis) still represent a serious public health problem in many regions in the world. This review describes the epidemiological and clinical aspects of important parasitoses and fungal infections from a medical point of view. It should be emphasized that the development of invasive disease depends on both host (susceptibility/resistance) and parasite factors (pathogenicity/virulence); an immunocompromised state can favour opportunistic parasitic infections: toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiosis, cyclosporidiosis, blastocystosis and strongyloidosis. This article highlights the role of free-living amoebae in the pathogenesis and transmission of human diseases, the high pathogenicity of Echinococcus multilocularis, and the growing importance of ticks as a reservoir and vector for numerous dangerous pathogens (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti). It also discusses the diagnostic problems of toxoplasmosis including cross-reactions in serological tests and reviews the search for new drugs and vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Attention is increasingly paid to the role played by the human microbiome in maintaining homeostasis and in the development of fungal infections. This review also presents the most common human superficial fungal infections and the role of Candida albicans infection in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 28151608
DOI: 10.17420/ap6204.61 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022This study performed a follow-up investigation of parasitic infections and the evolution of the infection spectra in Shanghai and its surrounding areas in Eastern China....
BACKGROUND
This study performed a follow-up investigation of parasitic infections and the evolution of the infection spectra in Shanghai and its surrounding areas in Eastern China. The current study was conducted in the Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, a tertiary hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.
METHODS
This retrospective investigation reviewed a total of 412 parasitic infections in patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital from January 1, 2010 to July 31, 2022. Detailed information for these patients was retrieved from the Electronic Medical Record System. Analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 and SPSS Statistics 26.
RESULTS
Overall, 17 species of parasites were detected from the 412 admissions. Over the 13 years, the number of patients peaked in 2021 and food-born parasites (FBPs) were the primary species. During the most recent 5 years, , replacing , has become the primary parasite detected among the patients, consistent with the observation that eating uncooked fish has turned into the most common route of transmission. infections declined with age, but increased with age. The periods from the onset of symptoms to definite diagnosis for some patients infected with , and were more than 6 months. Interestingly, eosinophilia was only detected in 51.83% of parasite-infected patients. In addition, superinfections of parasites were common in our study.
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrates the transitional change in the prevalence of parasitic infection over the latest 13 years in a single center in Eastern China. The incidence of parasitic infections peaked in 2021, and the dominant parasitic species switched from a soil origin to foodborne. The direction for the diagnosis and prevention of parasitic infection among different age groups should alter according to age. It is difficult to diagnose parasitic infections and superinfections that occur in some patients. Thus, more sensitive and efficient detection methods should be developed. In addition, although eosinophilia and elevated IgE are still reliable indicators for initiating screening of parasitic infection, the development of novel parasitic diagnostic kits is still in urgent need for occult infection.
Topics: Animals; China; Eosinophilia; Immunoglobulin E; Parasitic Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Soil; Superinfection; Tertiary Care Centers
PubMed: 36249238
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.993377 -
Parasite Immunology 2004The prevalence and intensity of infections caused by protozoa, nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and arthropods is higher in males than females. The primary thesis of... (Review)
Review
The prevalence and intensity of infections caused by protozoa, nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and arthropods is higher in males than females. The primary thesis of this review is that immunological differences exist between the sexes that may underlie increased parasitism in males compared to females. Several field and laboratory studies link sex differences in immune function with circulating steroid hormones; thus, the roles of sex steroids, including testosterone, oestradiol, and progesterone, as well as glucocorticoids will be discussed. Not only can host hormones affect responses to infection, but parasites can both produce and alter hormone concentrations in their hosts. The extent to which changes in endocrine-immune interactions following infection are mediated by the host or the parasite will be considered. Although males are more susceptible than females to many parasites, there are parasites for which males are more resistant than females and endocrine-immune interactions may underlie this sex reversal. Finally, although immunological differences exist between the sexes, genetic and behavioural differences may explain some variability in response to infection and will be explored as alternative hypotheses for how differences between the sexes contribute to dimorphic responses to parasites.
Topics: Behavior; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hormones; Humans; Immunity; Immunity, Innate; Male; Parasitic Diseases; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 15541029
DOI: 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00710.x -
International Journal of Infectious... Apr 2021Tha Song Yang District, located on the Thai-Myanmar border, contributes to the second highest cases of amoebic dysentery due to intestinal parasitic infections (IPI)....
BACKGROUND
Tha Song Yang District, located on the Thai-Myanmar border, contributes to the second highest cases of amoebic dysentery due to intestinal parasitic infections (IPI). However, there were limited disease prevalence data, specific surveillance systems, and interventions available.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the epidemiological features of the IPIs and apply the One Health (OH) approach to solve IPI-related problems.
METHODS
Prevalence of asymptomatic infections in human and animals, yearly symptomatic cases, and associated risk factors were investigated. The OH intervention included improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the community, microscopic diagnosis training, and stakeholder engagement for IPI prevention designs.
RESULTS
The prevalence of asymptomatic cases was much higher than that of the symptomatic cases. Infective stages of the intestinal parasites were discovered in animal stool and water samples, indicating possible transmission routes. One year after the intervention, there were significant declines in asymptomatic IPIs and symptomatic cases of amoebic dysentery. Significant improvements in KAP and awareness regarding water and manure-waste management of the community were observed.
CONCLUSION
We reported the successful application of the OH intervention in reducing the IPI prevalence and mitigating disease-related risks. The intervention might be applied to address other infectious diseases in the future.
Topics: Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Female; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Myanmar; One Health; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Seasons; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thailand; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 33581366
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.015 -
Communications Biology Nov 2022Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded species and can increase risk-taking in intermediate hosts. Despite extensive laboratory...
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded species and can increase risk-taking in intermediate hosts. Despite extensive laboratory research on the effects of T. gondii infection on behaviour, little is understood about the effects of toxoplasmosis on wild intermediate host behavior. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, has a diverse carnivore community including gray wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor), intermediate and definitive hosts of T. gondii, respectively. Here, we used 26 years of wolf behavioural, spatial, and serological data to show that wolf territory overlap with areas of high cougar density was an important predictor of infection. In addition, seropositive wolves were more likely to make high-risk decisions such as dispersing and becoming a pack leader, both factors critical to individual fitness and wolf vital rates. Due to the social hierarchy within a wolf pack, we hypothesize that the behavioural effects of toxoplasmosis may create a feedback loop that increases spatial overlap and disease transmission between wolves and cougars. These findings demonstrate that parasites have important implications for intermediate hosts, beyond acute infections, through behavioural impacts. Particularly in a social species, these impacts can surge beyond individuals to affect groups, populations, and even ecosystem processes.
Topics: Animals; Wolves; Puma; Ecosystem; Parasitic Diseases; Toxoplasmosis; Risk-Taking
PubMed: 36424436
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04122-0