Iranian Journal of Parasitology最新文献

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare and severe form of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), particularly uncommon in Uzbekistan. Leishmaniasis remains a major opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, especially in those with HIV, where co-infection with Leishmania spp. can result in atypical clinical manifestations, delayed diagnosis, and poor treatment response. This is a retrospective descriptive case report of a single pediatric patient. We report the first known case of DCL in an HIV-infected pediatric patient in Uzbekistan. A 14-year-old boy presented with multiple, non-ulcerative, progressively worsening skin lesions on the face and extremities over six months. Although he had no travel history to known endemic areas, he resided in a region with reported local transmission. Physical examination revealed extensive infiltrative plaques and nodules. Laboratory investigations, including Giemsa staining and PCR, confirmed Leishmania infection. Histopathological analysis showed both intravascular and extravascular amastigotes, and species identification revealed L. major. Imaging ruled out visceral involvement. Given the patient's immunosuppressed status and the disseminated skin involvement, a diagnosis of DCL was established. Liposomal amphotericin B was initiated as first-line therapy. This case illustrates the diagnostic complexities of leishmaniasis in HIV-positive patients, where initial misdiagnoses (e.g., scabies or Kaposi's sarcoma) may delay appropriate treatment. It highlights the critical need for heightened clinical suspicion, better diagnostic tools, and improved physician awareness in endemic and emerging transmission areas. In the context of rising HIV rates and growing domestic tourism to endemic zones, early screening and structured public health interventions are essential to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes in Uzbekistan.

Beef tape worm a zoonotic helminth of platyhelminth phylum, is reported here in a 28-year-old female patient from Tehran, Iran taking advantage of microscopic and molecular techniques. The occurrence of this infection has been recorded high in previous decades in Iran while its record nowadays looks rare in the country. Two 18s and Cox1 fragments were amplified and sequenced successfully using specific primers. This case underscores the potential for Taenia saginata transmission in the region, warranting rigorous slaughterhouse inspections and enhanced public awareness efforts.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a common intracellular parasite implicated in chronic infections that may contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The potential role of T. gondii in triggering or exacerbating neuroinflammatory processes has been suggested in several recent studies. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti T. gondii IgG antibodies in MS patients compared to healthy individuals and to evaluate associated demographic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional case-control study at the Comprehensive MS Center of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, 99 MS patients and 92 matched healthy controls were enrolled. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii IgG using ELISA, and data on demographics, pet ownership, diet, untreated water consumption, COVID-19 history, and MS symptoms (muscle weakness, bowel dysfunction, balance disorders, speech disturbances, and attack frequency) were collected. Multivariate logistic regression assessed associations between T. gondii seropositivity, clinical symptoms, and environmental factors.

Results: T. gondii seropositivity was significantly higher in the MS group (22%) compared to controls (8%) (P = 0.013). Pet ownership, particularly cat ownership, was identified as a significant risk factor (OR = 5.089, P = 0.037). No significant associations were found between seropositivity and raw or undercooked meat consumption, unwashed vegetable intake, or history of COVID-19. Additionally, among clinical symptoms in MS patients, muscle weakness and bowel dysfunction showed significant positive associations with T. gondii seropositivity.

Conclusion: The findings suggest a potential link between chronic T. gondii infection and MS, indicating that the parasite may play a role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses. Further longitudinal and multicenter studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the impact of antiparasitic treatments in MS management.

Background: Hydatidosis is one of the common parasitic diseases common to both humans and animals with global spread. The disease is very important from both public health and economic perspectives. The parasite presents with highly diverse genetic features, including a different genotype which affect the life cycle of the parasite, its transmission routes, pathogenicity, immunogenicity, response to drugs, epidemiology and disease control. Therefore, we aimed to identify the genotype of hydatid cysts isolated from slaughtered animals in Sabzevar and Neyshabour slaughterhouses by sequencing and high-resolution melting curve analysis.

Methods: Out of 35 hydatid cyst samples, including 19 from sheep (15 liver and 4 lung samples) and 16 from cattle (9 liver and 7 lung samples) were included in this study. After the extraction of protoscoleces and DNA, a high-resolution melting curve analysis method was used to identify the genotype of the samples using pre-determined G1, G3, and G6 standard samples.

Results: Out of 35 hydatid cyst samples, 89.5% G1 and 10.5% G6 were detected in sheep samples, and 93.7% G1 and 6.3% G6 were detected in cattle samples. Results showed in the Sabzevar City, dominant genotype there was G1 and COX1 gene considered a perfect biomarker in a molecular identification and phylogenetic study of this parasite.

Conclusion: G1 was the most prevalent in samples of hydatid cysts (both sheep and cattle) in Sabzevar, while in Neyshabour samples, G1 and G6 were the most dominant types.

Background: Resistance to benzimidazole (BZ) by cyathostomin nematodes has become a major threat to equine health around the world. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BZ drugs against small strongyle nematodes in horses of western Iran using coprological and molecular examination.

Methods: Faecal egg count reduction tests were performed on 398 horses kept in 16 stables in western Iran (Kermanshah Province), to detect benzimidazole resistance in small strongyle nematodes. Allele-specific PCR was used to identify the F200Y (TAC/TTC) SNP in the beta-tubulin gene codon in cyathostomin larvae.

Results: There was a 96.1%-98.3% (90% CI) reduction in faecal egg counts following mebendazole treatment and a 96.6% - 98.7% (90% CI) reduction in faecal egg counts following fenbendazole treatment. The allele-specific PCR showed BZ-susceptible homozygote genotypes in all examined samples (Two pools of 10 to 50 L₃ of cyathostomin nematodes from each of the 18 selected horses).

Conclusion: Benzimidazole resistance in equine small strongyles has been reported globally, and the results of the present study were unexpected. The probable reasons for the slow development of BZ-resistance are climatic conditions in the country that have significant negative effects on the ability of free stages of the resistant strongyle nematode to survive and develop.

Background: Syphacia (rodent pinworm), a common nematode in the colon of rodents, has rarely been reported in humans. The morphological identification of some pinworm species is difficult, especially in those cases where only fragments of worms are recovered. We aimed to identify isolates of Syphacia spp. in rodents using morphological and molecular approaches, and to compare them with human Enterobius vermicularis.

Methods: This study was carried out on 10 adult Syphacia worms collected from BALB/c mice and five adult Enterobius vermicularis from humans. Morphological features using existing keys and PCR-sequencing of ITS1 and 5.8s regions were applied to identify Syphacia spp., and its comparison with E. vermicularis.

Results: The total length of esophagus, the length and width of esophageal bulb, and the length and width of the right and left cephalic alae of E. vermicularis were larger than Syphacia. These parameters demonstrated significant morphological differences between E. vermicularis and Syphacia. PCR successfully produced amplicons of approximately 414 bp for Syphacia and 473 bp for E. vermicularis. The molecular method identified the Oxyurid nematodes isolated from BALB/c mice as Syphacia obvelata. The pairwise comparison revealed no differences in nucleotide sequences among S. obvelata isolates, and the sequences were identical and exhibited 100% homology.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated genetic and morphological differences between E. vermicularis and S. obvelata. Since laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are the specific hosts for S. obvelata, controlling these animals is critical to maintaining public health.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSB) in reducing the incidence of Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among military personnel in Isfahan Province, Iran.

Methods: The ATSB solution was prepared and applied to vegetation located approximately 500 meters from residential areas to target and eliminate sand fly vectors. Clinical samples were subsequently collected from individuals with suspected CL. The number of CL new cases among military personnel in 2022 was compared with collected historical data from 2012 to 2021, including the number of CL new cases, demographic characteristics, and seasonal incidence patterns. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA to assess whether the intervention led to a significant reduction in disease occurrence.

Results: Following the application of ATSB, the new cases of CL among military personnel decreased from an average of 196 cases per year (2012-2021) to 55 cases in 2022. Seasonal analysis revealed a decline across all seasons, with the most notable reduction observed in autumn. Demographic analysis showed reductions in both male and female groups. However, statistical analysis using ANOVA indicated that the observed differences before and after the intervention were not statistically significant (P=0.087).

Conclusion: Despite a decline in CL case numbers in the studied areas, the reduction following ATSB application was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, ATSB may serve as a promising complementary approach for controlling CL in endemic regions. Further studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods are recommended to validate its effectiveness.

Background: Stunting, resulting from chronic malnutrition, increases susceptibility to infections due to immature immunity. Blastocystis hominis and Giardia duodenalis may contribute to stunting. We aimed to determine the characteristics of intestinal protozoan infection among stunting children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 among 280 stunted children in Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Faecal specimens were collected, with portions preserved separately in 10% formaldehyde and RNA Later solution. Of these, 230 met the examination criteria. Risk factors and demographic data were obtained through interviews. DNA was extracted, and intestinal protozoan infection were detected using PCR targeting the 18S SSU rRNA gene for B. hominis and 16S-like RNA gene for G. duodenalis.

Results: The prevalence of G. duodenalis and B. hominis was 5.6% (13/230) and 55.6% (128/230), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified age (P-value 0.004; OR 0.327) and no availability of a septic tank (P-value 0.021; OR 4.881) were the significant risk factors for G. duodenalis infection. For B. hominis infection, significant risk factors included age (P-value 0.033; OR 0.722) and gender (P-value 0.047; OR 1.742).

Conclusion: Stunting and intestinal protozoan infection present a dual burden. G. duodenalis and B. hominis infections were prevalent among stunted children. Significant risk factors included age and septic tank unavailability for G. duodenalis, while age and gender were associated with B. hominis infection. Improved sanitation and targeted interventions are essential to reduce infection risks.

Background: Leishmania major is an obligate and intracellular pathogen and the macrophages are the cell hosts for L. major. Imiquimod stimulates macrophages to secrete different cytokines via the expression of TLRs.

Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, in 2018. The effect of imiquimod was investigated on non-infected and infected macrophages with L. major on the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and inflammatory cytokines. TLRs play an important role in enhancing the proceeding of phagocytosis and killing parasites. Moreover, the cytokines such as TNFα, IL6, and IL1, are often identified in inflammatory conditions as interfering targets in treatment. Healthy macrophages and macrophages infected with Leishmania major parasites were affected by different concentrations of imiquimod, after that the expression of TLR genes (TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9) and cytokines were evaluated by real time RT-PCR. For experiments in laboratory animals, infected BALB/c mice were exposed to imiquimod and then isolated peritoneal macrophages.

Results: The expression of TLR2 decreased in non-infected macrophages were affected by the imiquimod. The expression level of TLR7 in healthy macrophages, decreased and the difference with control group was significant. Imiquimod increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines and IL12 in mouse macrophages and also decrease the expression of IL10.

Conclusion: This suggests that imiquimod may improve the therapeutic effects in infected mice with Leishmania major. Imiquimod causes that TLR2 decreased expression but TLR7 and TLR9 increased expression. Imiquimod as TLR7 agonist, enhance the recovery of leishmaniasis.

Background: We investigated the contributing factors of amoebic dysentery across five provinces in Northeastern Thailand from 2019 to 2023. Comprehensive data were collected regarding agricultural practices, disaster impacts, and demographic characteristics for Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothorn, Amnat Charoen, and Mukdahan.

Methods: Overall, 1,112 cases of amoebic dysentery were analyzed, revealing a higher prevalence among males in younger age groups, while females dominated in older cohorts. Sisaket reported the highest number of cases, followed by Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Yasothorn, and Mukdahan. Notably, Sisaket demonstrated the highest incidence rate of 10.28 cases per 100,000 population, compared with Ubon Ratchathani's 5.27 cases.

Results: The study highlights the interplay between environmental factors, agricultural practices, and sociodemographic characteristics, emphasizing how high disaster impact and reliance on natural agriculture may facilitate amoebic dysentery transmission. The findings underscore the importance of tailored public health interventions to mitigate the disease burden, particularly in vulnerable populations. Future research should focus on pinpointing specific factors driving the observed variations in disease prevalence across the region.

Conclusion: This study serves as an essential resource for policymakers and public health officials aiming to enhance amoebic dysentery management strategies in Northeastern Thailand.