Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi最新文献

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and head lice in primary school-aged children and to determine a possible relationship between the co-occurrence of ecto-endoparasites.

Methods: The study were conducted in three schools in the center of Sivas: Sivas Karşıyaka Primary School, Kılavuz İMKB Primary School, and Karşıyaka 27 June Middle School. The presence of head lice and intestinal parasites was investigated in a total of 563 children aged 6 to 17, with 294 girls and 269 boys. Classroom teachers and students were provided with information about intestinal parasites, head lice, and methods of transmission and prevention, and a questionnaire was administered. During the head lice examination, students were inspected with a comb, and samples with nits were examined under a microscope in the laboratory. Cellophane tape and stool samples obtained from the participants were examined on the same day using the native-lugol, flotation, and trichrome staining methods under a light microscope (x10, x40, x100).

Results: Five hundred sixty-three children were evaluated for head lice and 15 (2.6%) were found to be positive. During the examination, only nits were found in 11 students (1.9%), and both adult lice and nymphs were seen in 4 students (0.7%). Head lice were found positive in 2 out of 269 boys (0.7%), while 13 out of 294 girls (4.2%) positive (p<0.05). As a result of stool examination in children, Entamoeba coli was found in 11 (1.95%), Giardia intestinalis in 4 (0.71%), Blastocystis sp. in 14 (2.48%), Enterobius vermicularis in 8 (1.42%) and Taenia spp. in 2 (0.35%). Head lice infestation and Taenia spp. were found to coexist in 2 (0.35%) children.

Conclusion: In conclusion, although there has been a noticeable decrease in head lice and intestinal parasites among primary school-aged children in Sivas province, these conditions are still present, as evidenced by previous studies conducted in our region.

Objective: Malaria has been eradicated in Türkiye as of 2010, but there are imported cases. In this study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic value of two rapid tests; SD Bioline Malaria Ag Pf/Pan (SD-Pf/Pan) and SD Bioline Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (SD-Pf/Pv) with microscopy and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Methods: Blood samples were taken from all participants. Thick drop smears were prepared. Thick drop smears were examined for malaria positive/negative distinction under the light microscopy. Then, two rapid diagnostic tests (SD-Pf/Pan and SD-Pf/Pv) were performed. After DNA extraction from blood samples, RT-PCR was typed. The data were evaluated with SPSS 21 program of statistics.

Results: A total of 30 cases out of 66 suspected malaria cases were detected as positive with microscopy and RT-PCR. Twenty-seven patients were found positive with both SD-Pf/Pan and SD-Pf/Pv tests. Based on the microscopic results as a reference method, SD-Pf/Pan and SD-Pf/Pv rapid diagnostic tests had a 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value (PPV), and 92.86% negative predictive value (NPV). Based on the RT-PCR results as a reference method, for detection of P. falciparum, both tests had a 95.65% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, and 88.89% NPV. Moreover, while SD-Pf/Pv had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 100% in detection of P. vivax; SD-Pf/Pan has a 77.78% sensitivity of, 61.90% specificity of, 46.67% PPV, and 86.67% NPV SD-Pf/Pan for detection of PAN.

Conclusion: As a result, high sensitivity and specificity were detected in both kits in the diagnosis of malaria infections caused by P. falciparum and P. vivax. Rapid diagnostic tests can be used safely in diagnosis however the diagnosis should be supported by microscopy and RT-PCR methods when they are applicable.

Objective: The aim of the current research is to evaluate the antiparasite effects of compounds isolated from marine ascidian tunicates on Trichomonas vaginalis.

Methods: Ascidian tunicates after collection were cut into small pieces, freeze-dried, and powdered. The resulting material was subjected to extraction in double-distilled water, ethanol, n-hexane, and dichloromethane. To fractionate the extracts and identify the most bioactive compound, silica gel column chromatography and GC-M/S analysis were used.

Results: Fraction 18 of silica gel column chromatography of ethanol extract was the most effective against T. vaginalis. The respective IC₅₀, CC₅₀, and SI values for fraction 18 were 28.62 μg/mL, ˃800 μg/mL, and ˃27.95. GC-M/S analysis of this fraction identified a major phenolic compound (2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethyl ethyl), whose toxicity against vero cells was only 10.15%.

Conclusion: The ethanolic fraction containing phenol-2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), which has a potent lethality effect on T. vaginalis, may be considered as an antiparasite drug candidate.

Objective: A series of aromatic thiosemicarbazone-oxime [TP1 and TP2] derivatives and their Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) complexes were synthesized, and their larvicidal activity was evaluated against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae. The efficacy of these substances to Aedes albopictus larvae has been demonstrated for the first time.

Methods: Laboratory colonized Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae were subjected to larvicidal activity tests. Larval mortality rates at 24 and 48 hours were recorded and LC₅₀ values were calculated. The study was carried out at Aydın Adnan Menderes University in 2021.

Results: For Aedes aegypti, LC₅₀ of TP1 and its Co(II) complex were 15.41, 9.75, μg/mL whereas for TP2 and its Co(II) complex, LC₅₀ were 21.62, 20.50 μg/mL after 24 and 48 h respectively. For Aedes albopictus, TP1 and its Co(II) complex showed an LC₅₀ of 12.06, 8.75 μg/mL, whereas TP2 and its Co(II) complex showed an LC₅₀ of 32.87, 25.48 μg/mL, for 24, and 48 h respectively.

Conclusion: Both TP1 and TP2 compounds and their Co(II) complexes presented high efficacy against the larvae; it can be said that C=S groups in thiosemicarbazone derivatives are effective in showing activity and for this reason, studies should be continued to make these components effective.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba strains with T4, T5, T11, and T12 genotypes by comparing the osmotolerance and thermotolerance characteristics of Acanthamoeba strains isolated from genotype groups, within species with the same genotype, and from environmental and keratitis cases.

Methods: In this study, after axenic cultures of 22 Acanthamoeba strains with T4 (Neff, A, B, D, E), T5, T11, and T12 genotypes isolated from clinical and environmental samples, thermotolerance (37 °C, 39 °C and 41 °C) and osmotolerance (0.5 M, 1 M) tests were performed.

Results: All strains showed growth ability at 37 °C and 0.5 M osmolarity. While all five strains isolated from patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis showed growth ability at 37 °C and 0.5 M osmolarity, no growth was detected at 41 °C and 1 M osmolarity. When the tolerance characteristics of the strains with the same genotype were evaluated, the strains with the T5 and T4E genotypes showed the same characteristics. When Acanthamoeba strains with the T4 genotype were evaluated in general, 31.25% of the strains were found to grow at 39 °C and 6.25% at 41 °C. Of the T4Neff strains, only one strain did not show the ability to reproduce at 39 °C and showed a different feature from the other strains. While the strain with the T11 genotype grew at all temperatures, the strain with the T12 genotype did not grow at 41 °C.

Conclusion: According to our research results, we believe that tolerance to 39 °C and 1 M mannitol is not an indicator of pathogenicity. More studies with Acanthamoeba strains are required to clarify this issue.

Objective: Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) can have severe early and late sequelae in children. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, treatment characteristics of patients diagnosed with congenital Toxoplasma infection and to highlight the long-term complications of the patients.

Methods: Patients with CT were included in this study who were followed between 2010 and 2022 in Cukurova University Medical Faculty Hospital. Demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics were searched retrospectively. In the diagnosis of maternal and CT, Toxoplasma IgM, IgG, IgG avidity, T. gondii polymerase chain reaction tests were used along with clinical and symptoms.

Results: Eighteen children (two twins) with CT and their mothers (n=16) were included in the study. Median age was 1 month. Ten (55.5%) of the children were male. CT diagnosis was made during pregnancy in 7 mothers (resulting in 8 babies) and postnatally in 9 mothers (resulting in 10 babies). The mothers of 5 (31.1%) babies with CT received spiramycin treatment during pregnancy. Three (60%) of 5 pregnant women who received spiramycin were diagnosed in the first trimester, 4 (80%) of the babies did not have any sequale and only 1 (20%) had microphthalmia. Ocular involvement was the most common presentation of the disease occured in 10 patients (55.5%), hydrocephalus and intracranial calcification developed in five patients (27.7%). Hearing loss developed in 2 (11.1%) patients. During the follow-up period, seizures developed in 3 patients (16.6%), microcephaly in 2 patients (11.1%), and neurodevolopmental retardation in 7 patients (38.8%), two of the patients had severe mental retardation. One (5.5%) patient with hydrocephalus died at 36 months of age due to complications after ventriculoperitoneal shunt application.

Conclusion: In our study, we observed severe sequelae in vision, hearing, and neurodevelopmental aspects in children diagnosed with CT at birth and during follow-ups. Early diagnosis and treatment of infants, along with the detection of Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy, are essential in preventing severe sequelae that may arise due to CT.

Objective: A total of 357 specimens belonging to nineteen species of bats collected from Bursa and Kütahya Provinces, Türkiye, were examined for mite ectoparasites.

Methods: Related bat species were collected and studied about ectoparasitologically. For this purpose stereo and light microscopic methods used. Bat species, bat number, acari species, acari number and their gender, infected numbers were determined.

Results: The bats were found to harbour nine acarid species: Eyndhovenia euryalis, E. myoti, Steatonyssus noctulus, Steatonyssus sp., Ixodes vespertilionis, Dermanyssus sp., Ornithonyssus desultarius, Anchystropus zelebarii and Macronyssus aristippe.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of acarids on Rhinolophus euryale and Myotis daubentoni. New area and host records are reported.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence rates of ectoparasites (external parasites) seen in cattle in Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions.

Methods: For ectoparasite screening, a total of 1,353 cattle breeds from Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions were included in the study. Ectoparasite samples were collected with the help of hand, forceps, comb and scalpel, brought to the laboratory in plastic containers containing 70% alcohol and examined under a microscope.

Results: In the study, 191 (14.12%) of 1,353 cattle were infested with external parasites. Of the cattle, 138 (72.25%) ticks, 24 (12.57%) lice, 9 (4.71%) tabanid, 8 (4.19%) hippoboscid, 7 (3.66%) fleas and 5 (2.62%) mites were detected. Accordingly, 4 tick species in cattle Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma detritum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, 4 lice species (Bovicola bovis, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus, Haematopinus quadripertusus ), 1 mite species (Chorioptes bovis), 2 flea species (Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis), 1 hippoboscid fly species (Hippobosca equina) ve 3 tabanid fly species (Tabanus bromius, Tabanus exclusus, Philipomyia aprica) diagnosed.

Conclusion: The presence of external parasites varied depending on the frequency of antiparasitic use in cattle.

Objective: Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted protozoan infection worldwide. Metronidazole is widely considered as the drug of choice for treating of trichomoniasis but considering its potential side effects, we aimed to assess the therapeutic influences of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Quercus brantii and Artemisia aucheri Boiss as alternative medications against Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis).

Methods: The trophozoites were cultured in TYI-S-33 medium at a density of 5x10⁵ trophozoites/mL. Subsequently, they were incubated with varying concentrations of the plant extracts (32, 64, 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) and metronidazole (16, 32, 64, 125, 250, and 500 μg/mL), as the positive control. The number of trophozoites in each well plate was quantified after 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours using trypan blue staining. Finally, the viability of the parasite was assessed by vital methylene blue staining.

Results: The hydro-alcoholic extracts of Q. brantii and A. aucheri Boiss at concentrations of 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL demonstrated significant efficacy against the parasite. Our findings indicated that the minimum effective concentrations were 125 μg/mL and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Q. brantii and A. aucheri Boiss have the ability to effectively eliminate T. vaginalis after 48 and 72 hours of treatment.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Q. brantii and A. aucheri Boiss can induce death in T. vaginalis. However, further complementary in vivo studies are needed to assess the components of these plants in the treatment of T. vaginalis.

Objective: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most common tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever in our country and the world. While investigating the etiology of fever, tick contact should be questioned, especially in rural areas, and CCHF should be remembered. This study aimed to review the characteristics of the cases detected in Bayburt, one of the cities where CCHF is endemic.

Methods: A total of 100 patients aged 16 years and older who were diagnosed with CCHF in our clinic between April 2020 and October 2022 were included in the study. Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics, treatments, and prognoses of the patients were reviewed retrospectively through the hospital automation system and CCHF information system of The Ministry of Health.

Results: Sixty one (61%) of the patients included in the study were male, and their primary age (± standard deviation) was 50.4±15.7. 77% of the patients engaged in farming and or animal husbandry, and 71% were living in rural areas. The highest number of cases was in June and July. 63% of the patients had a history of a tick bite. At the first presentation, there were complaints of fatigue (95%), generalized body pain (84%), headache (67%), and fever (65%), in order of frequency. Ribavirin was started in 52 (52%) patients. One patient admitted in the late period died, and 99 patients were discharged with good recovery.

Conclusion: CCHF is an important public health problem that has been causing seasonal epidemics in our country for nearly two decades. Although sporadic cases have been reported from almost every region, the disease is endemic in some areas. Since signs and symptoms are not specific, the disease can be easily missed when tick contact is not questioned. Therefore CCHF should be considered in patients presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia in rural areas, especially in the spring and summer months.