Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi最新文献

Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic skin disease transmitted by the bite of sandflies. In our region, which is endemic for this disease, there has been a great migration from a much more endemic region and population movements from our area to Türkiye and abroad. Afterward, a pandemic was experienced. Due to these two extraordinary events and the possible epidemic potential in our region, it is useful to follow-up on the disease. We aimed to contribute to the evaluation of the disease in these processes by analyzing the data of our laboratory in recent years.

Methods: Between January 2019 and December 2022, samples from patients who came to our laboratory with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis were taken, stained and examined under a microscope. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, nationality, place of residence, lesion site and duration.

Results: Out of the 144 examined cases, 64 (44.4%) were positive for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Among these positive cases, 40 (62.5%) were women, 24 (37.5%) were men, and 54 (84.3%) belonged to the 0-9 age group. Of those who tested positive, 54 (84.3%) were Turkish citizens and 23 (35.9%) were Syrian citizens. Fifty-four (84.3%) patients had only single lesion. While the number of applications and positivity rates remained within normal levels in 2019 and 2020, a significant decrease was observed in both from 2021 and 2022.

Conclusion: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is carried by migration, decreases in large-scale isolations such as pandemics, and its spread can be prevented with correct diagnosis and treatment. Although the number of patients may change over time and place, cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease that threatens the health of societies and should always be monitored.

Objective: Antimicrobial resistance is a real threat to humanity. Pentavalent antimonials are reported non-effective in leishmaniasis treatment today, in countries like India. New treatment options have been assessed worldwide lately. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are the leading antibiotic candidates due to their large spectrum, fast efficacy, and low resistance risks. Cathelicidins are the AMP with well-documented antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, over their positively charged membranes. Here, we aim to design cathelicidine-like helical peptides (CLHP), and compare their anti-Leishmanial efficacies in vitro, with meglumine antimoniate (MA) on Leishmania tropica.

Methods: A total of five study [TN-1-5] and two control (MA and non-drug) groups were formed. Cryopreserved L. tropica isolate was thawed and cultivated in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle medium and then in RPMI. Five different CLHPs (TN1-5) were diluted in dimethyl sulphoxide. A total of 150 uL of CLHPs and MA were added into the first wells of the test plaques, followed by serial dilutions that revealed doses within 4 and 512 ug/mL. Then, 100 uL of cultures including 1x10⁸/mL of L. tropica promastigotes were added into each well. Viability of promastigotes was checked with XTT, while the parasite count was assessed at 24^th and 48^th hours.

Results: TN3 was effective at 32 ug/mL. All tested CLHPs exhibited varying degrees of anti-Leishmanial activities, except TN5, even at its highest dose.

Conclusion: TN3 showed a particular efficacy against L. tropica in vitro. Further studies including in vivo testing of the candidate's both efficacy and toxicity are essential.

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of protozoan parasites in stool samples collected from patients presenting with various gastrointestinal complaints to the Medical Parasitology Laboratory of Kafkas University Research and Application Hospital between 2019 and 2022.

Methods: Stool samples were initially examined using the native-Lugol method for the detection of protozoan parasites, followed by the formol-ethyl acetate sedimentation method, Giemsa, and carbol fuchsin staining methods. Specific immunochromatographic card tests were used for the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia intestinalis.

Results: Of the 2.267 stool samples examined over the four-year period from January 2019 to December 2022, 7.63% were found to contain one or more protozoan parasites. Among these parasites, Entamoeba histolytica was detected at the highest rate of 4.06%. The other parasite species were identified as follows: Blastocystis spp. 1.15%, Entamoeba spp. and Entamoeba coli each 0.52%, Giardia intestinalis 0.48%, Endolimax nana 0.17%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.08%.

Conclusion: This study indicates that despite a decrease in the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections in the Kars region, these infections remain a significant public health issue. Therefore, improvements in hygiene and sanitation conditions, increased public health education, and the widespread implementation of early diagnosis and treatment methods are necessary. Special measures should be taken to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children and the elderly.

Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) manifests as an intricate allergic response characterised by the formation of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies targeting a carbohydrate termed galactose-a-1.3-galactose (a-Gal). Alpha-Gal antigens, which play a role in AGS, have been detected in the salivary glands and saliva of various tick species, especially Amblyomma americanum. Identifying these antigens in tick saliva underlines the potential role of tick bites in sensitising individuals to a-Gal and contributes to the complex immunological processes associated with AGS. When people with a-Gal allergy eat beef, pork, lamb, or the flesh of other mammals, they experience an allergic reaction that causes various symptoms, including rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In some cases, AGS can be life-threatening requiring emergency medical attention. Moreover, these reactions do not occur only due to red meat; intake of medical drugs, vaccines, and antidotes containing a-Gal epitopes can also trigger allergies. The fact that the symptoms causing IgE antibodies are directed against a carbohydrate moiety the unusual delay between food consumption and the onset of symptoms, and the differences in the reactions shown by a-Gal allergy make a-Gal syndrome an unprecedented allergic disease and distinguish it from other food allergies. Interestingly, a-Gal antigens involved in the development of AGS have been discovered in salivary secretions of different tick species in several continents. However, the underlying causes of a-Gal-specific IgE production and immune responses to tick bites are not fully understood. This complex system is crucial for identifying and developing new therapies for the disease. This article reviews the evolution of a-Gal, the current understanding of AGS and its relationship to tick species.

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoon that infects approximately one-third of the human population. The parasite could transmit from mother to fetus in cases of acute infection during pregnancy and cause complications in the fetus. The bibliometric analysis is a popular research area that evaluates all the studies indexed in particular databases on a subject.

Methods: This article puts forth bibliometric review of the literature on maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis research indexed in the Web of Science database between 1945 and 2024. VOS viewer, Web of Science and MS Office Excel 17 programs were used in the study.

Results: The results of the search showed 1476 publications. The countries that most contributed to the literature were France (n=306, 20.73%), the USA (n=229, 15.52%), and Brazil (n=146, 9.89%). The most cited country was also France (n=10271, 35.52%), followed by the USA (n=9113, 31.51%), and England (n=2611, 9.03%). The top three countries by number of citations per document were Denmark (44.88), the USA (39.79) and France (33.57). The five departments with the most publications are Pediatrics (20.26%), General Internal Medicine (18.16%), Infectious Diseases (16.8%), Obstetrics (14.57%), and Immunology (11.86%). Wallon M. (n=57), Peyron F. (n=49), Thulliez P. (n=36) and Vilena I. (n=36) were the leading authors in terms of contribution to the literature. The five most published journals were Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (3.66%), Journal of Clinical Microbiology (2.78%), Lancet (2.3%), Presse Medicale (1.76%), and American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1.63%).

Conclusion: France is one of the countries that pays the most attention to congenital toxoplasmosis and compatible with this, in our study, the country with the highest number of studies on congenital toxoplasmosis was France. It is thought that drawing more attention to this issue and conducting more studies in countries where the disease is common might yield successful results, as in France.

Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women are at risk, with the latter group being susceptible to miscarriages. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of T. gondii antibodies and potential risk factors in pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The research was conducted at the Ankara City Hospital Perinatology Clinic between October 2021 and June 2022. The study included 277 pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 277 healthy pregnant women who had given birth. Retrospective analysis of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM levels was performed for patients between January 2020 and February 2022. Participants were administered an informed consent form and a questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 22.

Results: Among pregnant women with diabetes, IgG seropositivity was 18.4%, IgM was 0.0%, and IgG+IgM was 0.0%. In healthy pregnant women, IgG seropositivity was 12.3%, IgM was 0.4%, and IgG+IgM was 0.4%. Overall, seropositivity rates were 15.3% for IgG, 0.2% for IgM, and 0.2% for IgG+IgM. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among pregnant women with diabetes, there was a significant statistical difference (p<0.05) in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity related to education, employment status, number of pregnancies and live births, history of toxoplasmosis diagnosis in children, previous toxoplasmosis diagnosis, hygiene, nutrition, and social habits. Among healthy pregnant women, significant statistical differences were found (p<0.05) in IgG seropositivity related to age, income, education level, number of pregnancies and live births, previous toxoplasmosis diagnosis, hygiene, nutrition, and social habits. No invasive interventions were performed on infants born to seropositive mothers, and perinatal data were not available.

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Ankara appears to be decreasing, but T. gondii infections continue to pose a public health concern and are significant in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Parasite are living organisms which survive on another living being for their nourishment and survival. When these parasites resides on human body, they bring about inflammatory response. This inflammatory response leads to tissue reaction. Tissue response on microscopy appear as an eosinophilia, abscess and granulomas. This study was planned with the objective to know the frequency of parasite infection, tissue response in parasite infection and its comparison in terms of variables like age, sex and the type of parasite.

Methods: This is a retrospective study, conducted in the department of pathology. A total of 26 cases of parasitic infections in human specimens reported in our department from January 2008 to December 2019 were included in this study. On all archived cases hematoxylin and eosin and where ever required periodic acid schiff was applied. These slides were thoroughly examined and clinicopathological correlation was studied.

Results: Age range of patients was 5 years to 70 years. Maximum number of patients were belonging to 11-20 year age group. Male to female ratio was 1:2. Among the 26 cases, there were 9 cases (34.62%) of hydatid cyst, six cases of Entamoeba histolytica (23.07%), four cases of Enterobious vermicularis (15.38%), and two cases (7.69%) each of Ascaris lumbricoides, filaria and cysticercosis respectively. A specific tissue response seen in cysticercosis having chronic inflammatory cells, palisaded epithelioid cells granuloma and giant cell reaction while other showed inflammatory cells infiltration.

Conclusion: Clinically diagnosis of parasitic infection in each and every case is not possible, similarly radiological investigation is also suggestive only. Histopathology examination is the benchmark investigation to diagnose parasite infection and tissue reaction to the host. Histopathology examination must be implicated in every case to identify parasite and tissue reaction so that the patients can be managed accordingly before the complications rises.

Objective: This study describes the relationships of factors related to gut microbiota and skin conditions associated with Demodex, including demodicosis, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis.

Methods: A total of 113 patients from Dokuz Eylül University Hospital Dermatology Department answered a cross-sectional questionnaire. They consisted of 42 cases of Demodex-related skin diseases and 71 healthy controls. Demographic data and medical history, dietary and lifestyle habits, and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Fisher's Exact tests, independent samples t-tests, and logistic regression methods.

Results: Our findings identified alcohol consumption [odds ratio (OR)=11.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.11-17.22, p<0.01] and smoking (OR=10.32, 95% CI: 2.47-21.57, p<0.01) as strong risk factors for Demodex-related conditions. Low water intake (0-1 liter per day) (OR=3.39, 95% CI: 2.08-5.57, p=0.03) and infrequent exercise (less than 1 hour per week) (OR=4.87, 95% CI: 2.70-12.54, p=0.02) were also significant risk factors. Additional factors associated with increased Demodex risk included reduced bowel movements (OR=2.71, 95% CI: 1.45-4.06, p=0.01) and higher pet ownership (OR=2.85, 95% CI: 2.13-4.27, p=0.03). Although vegetarian and high-fat diets showed some associations, they were not independently significant.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates key environmental and lifestyle factors, such as low water intake, infrequent exercise, reduced bowel movements, higher pet ownership, alcohol consumption, and smoking, that are significantly associated with Demodex-related skin conditions. These factors, related to gut microbiota, may provide valuable insights for managing these skin conditions and suggest promising directions for future research.

Objective: It is known that protozoa and helminths that cause intestinal infections adversely affect human life. Changing climate and demographic and socio-economic factors worldwide necessitate the determination and updating of the incidence of these parasites. Our study aimed to retrospectively examine the distribution of intestinal parasites detected in the Parasitology Laboratory of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine between 2017 and 2021.

Methods: Parasitological examinations were performed using the native-lugol and formol-ether condensation method. Staining method (Modified Ziehl-Neelsen) and cellophane tape method were then applied to evaluate the specimens considered necessary.

Results: One or more parasites were detected in 33 of 373 patients (8.8%) evaluated in the study. These were Giardia intestinalis at a rate of 30.5% (11/36), Enterobius vermicularis at a rate of 27.7% (10/36), Blastocystis sp. at a rate of 19.4% (7/36), Entamoeba coli at a rate of 11.1% (4/36), Cryptosporidium spp. at a rate of 8.3% (3/36) and Taenia saginata at a rate of 2.7% (1/36). It was determined that two patients were coinfected by Entamoeba coli and Blastocystis sp. while one patient was coinfected by Entamoeba coli and Giardia intestinalis.

Conclusion: It is thought that determining the incidence of intestinal parasites, which are an important public health problem, may help guide studies for preventive health services. Although the five-year laboratory data obtained from the study do not reflect our region, it is thought that intestinal parasites maintain their importance.

Cystic echinococcosis is a parasitic disease with significant importance for public health in endemic regions. Spinal cystic echinococcosis, however, is a rare form that may lead to severe complications due to its localization. In this manuscript, we presented a 16-year-old male patient who admitted with abdominal and back edema for 2 months, evaluated with preliminary diagnoses of Pott's abscess and malignant mass, subsequently diagnosed with spinal cystic echinococcosis. It was concluded that cystic echinococcosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of large cystic masses and percutaneous aspiration, injection, reaspiration method might be a safe and effective treatment option particularly for cases of complicated spinal cystic echinococcosis.