Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi最新文献

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients admitted to University of Health Sciences Türkiye (UHS) Van Training and Research Hospital.

Methods: A total of 300 patients between the ages of 18-90 who applied to UHS Van Training and Research Hospital with gastrointestinal complaints and were referred to the parasitology laboratory between September 2021 and December 2021, and 100 patients without any chronic disease and gastrointestinal complaints in the control group were included in the study. Stool samples taken from patients included in the study and individuals in the control group were analyzed by native-lugol and modified acid-fast staining methods.

Results: In the study, intestinal parasites were detected in 41 (13.3%) of 300 patients in the patient group and in seven (7%) of 100 individuals in the control group. The highest rate of Blastocystis species (Blastocystis spp.) (5.7%) was found in the patient group. Entamoeba coli 3%, G. intestinalis 2.7% and Cryptosporidium species (Cryptosporidium spp). 2.3% were found among the other species detected. In addition, a statistically significant correlation was found between the incidence of parasites and abdominal pain (p=0.022) and nausea (p=0.029).

Conclusion: As a result; it was concluded that intestinal parasites are still an important health problem in patients with gastrointestinal complaints and intestinal parasites should definitely be considered in this patient group.

Objective: Each year, approximately 125 million people visit malaria-endemic countries. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in Türkiye.

Methods: The study included patients diagnosed with P. falciparum malaria between 1996 and 2022. A retrospective evaluation was conducted on whole blood samples and/or blood smears, as well as detailed medical histories, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings. A total of 131 imported cases of P. falciparum were included in the study.

Results: Among the patients, 121 were male. Of these, 101 had traveled to Africa, while 30 had visited Asia. Among the patients, 109 were returned travelers, and 22 were refugees/migrants. Early trophozoites were observed in all patients, while gametocytes were detected in 30 patients. Cerebral malaria developed in 15 patients, resulting in the death of two individuals. Additionally, 10 patients received preventive chemoprophylaxis.

Conclusion: Turkey is situated on migration routes that connect two continents to Europe, where more than 95% of the global malaria burden exists. The importation of malaria through returned travelers poses a risk of malaria reintroduction in our country, given the presence of suitable vectors, climate conditions, and environmental factors. Importantly, 30 patients (22.9%) exhibited gametocyte forms of P. falciparum, which have the potential to infect Anopheles species, thus establishing a basis for local malaria transmission.

This study examines the risk of malaria, leishmaniasis, and scabies following earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye. The focus is on the impact on the local population and Syrian immigrants. Recommendations for prevention include vector control measures such as indoor residual spraying and distribution of insecticidal nets. Surveillance and early detection through rapid diagnostic tests and active case finding are important. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement are crucial for promoting protective measures. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, providing essential supplies, and capacity building is essential. For leishmaniasis, early detection and treatment, vector control, health education, and community engagement are vital. Scabies outbreaks affect the socioeconomically depressed local population and Syrian immigrants. Early detection, treatment, contact tracing, health education, hygiene promotion, and improved living conditions are necessary. Implementing these interventions and strategies can effectively prevent, control, and manage these diseases. Tailoring approaches to the specific context and needs of affected communities is crucial. By addressing these challenges, we can protect the health and well-being of the affected population.

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis and is a parasite of high medical importance with a wide host variety. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections during pregnancy may predispose women to pregnancy complications. Preeclampsia of unknown etiology causes special conditions such as systemic vascular endothelial damage due to insufficient trophoblastic invasion and abnormal placentation. There are data of an association between various maternal infections and preeclampsia/eclampsias. The aim of the study was to compare and analyze the relationship between the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and in normotensive healthy pregnant women who were in the control group.

Methods: In this study, 176 pregnant women who applied to our hospital between January 2019 and December 2020 were included. 88 (50%) of the pregnant women had pre-eclampsia and 88 (50%) were normotensive. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies in blood taken from pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and control group was investigated using ELISA.

Results: Because of the study, both groups were found to be seronegative in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgM by ELISA. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG was found to be seropositive in 24 (27.3%) pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 18 (20.5%) normotensive pregnant women. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity (X²=0.289, p>0.05) (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Because of the study, no statistically significant difference was found between pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and those with toxoplasmosis. It was thought that further studies should be conducted to discuss the hormonal, vascular, etc. factors occurring in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia of T. gondii effect of preparing the ground for the changes and to reveal the existence of a possible relationship between pre-eclampsia and T. gondii seropositivity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of opportunistic parasites and Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastric cancer (CA) and to determine the significance of these parasite.

Methods: The patient group and the control group were composed of 100 people each. The stool samples were examined under the microscope for intestinal parasites with the native-Lugol method. Then, samples were multiplied by formol-ethyl acetate method and stained with modified acid-fast method.

Results: Intestinal parasite positivity was indicated in 14% of the gastric CA, and 2% of the healthy individuals (p=0.001). Blastocystis spp. (p=0.009) was identified in 11%, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 4%, G. intestinalis was identified in 2%, and C. cayetanensis was identified in 1% of the patient group. There were significant differences between the intestinal parasite positivity (p=0.012), abundant Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.041) and all Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.037) in patient and control groups. Most of the patients who were positive for parasites had diarrhea.

Conclusion: Based findings, it was concluded that it would be beneficial to evaluate gastric CA patients, especially those with diarrhea, for intestinal parasites.

Leishmania infantum is the species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis [(VL), kala-azar], which is observed sporadically mainly in pediatric age groups in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Central Anatolian regions of Türkiye. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnosis, clinic, laboratory results and treatments of four adult patients with VL who applied to our hospital. The patients were referred to our hospital to investigate hematological malignancy. In the study, the data of four patients (three men, one woman; age range: 30-40 years) who were diagnosed with VL and treated in the infectious diseases clinic of our hospital between January 2022 and April 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis of VL was made according to appropriate clinical and physical examination findings, biochemical and serological tests (indirect fluorescent antibody test and rK39 rapid antigen test) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, as well as the presence of amastigote forms of the parasite in bone marrow samples. Serology positivity was found in all patients, and bone marrow positivity was found in two patients. According to the results of RT-PCR in all patients, it was determined that the species causing the disease was L. infantum/L. donovani. Initially, the most common symptoms were fever, fatigue, and abdominal distension. None of the patients had an immunosuppressive condition. It was understood that all the patients lived in the rural area of Syria's Idlib province. Hepatosplenomegaly, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were found in all patients. The patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin-B (L-AMB). One patient did not come for follow-ups, the other three patients were found to have completely recovered in their follow-up. No recurrence was observed in any of the patients. In conclusion, VL should be considered in patients who apply to health institutions with complaints of fever, hepatosplenomegaly, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.

The "One Health" concept is a universal approach to sustainably balancing and optimizing the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. This approach is based on the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, and plants in a wider environment in which self-renewable ecosystems exist, with essential characteristics of integration, unifying and holistic perspective. Toxoplasmosis, one of the most common zoonotic infections in both terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems in the world, is an ideal model disease for the "One Health" approach. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In the life cycle of T. gondii, the definitive host is domestic cats and felines, and the intermediate hosts are all mammals (including humans), birds and reptiles. The infected cats have primary importance and play a crucial role in the contamination of habitats in the ecosystems with T. gondii oocysts. Thus, ecosystems with domestic cats and stray cats are contaminated with cat feces infected with T. gondii oocytes. T. gondii positivity has been scientifically demonstrated in all warm-blooded animals in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The disease causes deaths and abortions in farm animals, resulting in great economic losses. However, the disease causes great problems in humans, especially pregnant women. During pregnancy, it may have effects such as congenital infections, lesions in the eye and brain of the fetus, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, fever, pneumonia, thrombocytopenia, ocular lesions, encephalitis, and abortion. The mechanism of death and abortion of the fetus in a pregnant woman infected with T. gondii occurs as a result of complete disruption of the maternal immune mechanism. The struggle against toxoplasmosis requires the universal collaboration and coordination of the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Health Organization and the World Food Organization in the "One Health" concept and integrative approaches of all responsible disciplines. Establishing universal environmental safety with the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis requires the annihilation of the feces of the infected cats using suitable techniques firstly. Then routinely, the monitoring and treatment of T. gondii positivity in cats, avoiding contact with contaminated foods and materials, and development of modern treatment and vaccine options. Particularly, mandatory monitoring or screening of T. gondii positivity during the pregnancy period in humans should be done. It would be beneficial to replace the French model, especially in the monitoring of disease in humans. In this article, the ecology of toxoplasmosis was reviewed at the base of the "One Health" concept.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess the coronavirus disease (Covid) pre-pandemic and pandemic period table of 2019 with relation to the change in the frequency of ascariasis and to contribute to the epidemiological data in our nation.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Adana Provincial Directorate of Health, Department of Public Health Services between January 2017 and May 2022. Percentages of the number of cases were compared with the total numbers for the pre- and pandemic periods and for each specified period. Results were analyzed statistically.

Results: When the number of scabies cases by year was analyzed, it was determined that the highest incidence rate was 37.8% in 2021 and the lowest incidence rate was 3.7% in 2017. During the pandemic period, it was determined that the rate of scabies in men was higher than that in women. Likewise, it was determined that the rate of scabies in women was higher than that in men before the pandemic. During the pandemic period, the rate of scabies in those aged 0, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 65 years and over was higher than that before the pandemic.

Conclusion: According to our findings, the prevalence of scabies has increased throughout the Covid-2019 pandemic.

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the neglected tropical diseases announced by the World Health Organization. In the period entered with the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, the fight against such diseases has become even more difficult. In our study, we aimed to make inferences about the effects of the pandemic on the diagnosis of the disease by evaluating the number and results of CE indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) before and during the pandemic.

Methods: The number of IHA test requests and positivity rates in the 30-month periods before and after March 11, 2020, when the first case was seen in our country, were evaluated retrospectively. Statistical analysis was made with SPSS version 23 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) program.

Results: The results of 1444 patients before the pandemic and 870 patients during the pandemic period were examined. The difference between IHA positivity rates, which was found to be 18.49% before the pandemic and 14.6% during the pandemic, was statistically significant (p=0.016). The positivity rates of women and men were found to be statistically similar in both periods (p_before=0.621, p_after=0.238). The age group with the highest IHA positivity rate was 20-39 in both periods, and the difference between the positivity rates of the age groups was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A significant decrease was observed in the rate of IHA positivity during the pandemic period. The status of no increase in positivity rates despite a significant decrease in IHA tests makes us think that the diagnosis may be missed in some patients or that there could be disruptions in their follow-up. For this reason, in order to continue the fight successfully against CE, which is an important public health problem for our country, early diagnosis and regular follow-ups should be emphasized with educations, and the laboratory-clinician communication should be strengthened in order to use tests more efficiently.

Cats have an important and different place due to their close relationships with humans. Since most of the parasites they carry are zoonotic, it is important to detect them. According to the research, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Giardia spp., Isospora spp., and Toxoplasma sp. were found to be higher in cats compared to other parasites. It has been determined that scabies and flea infestations are common as ectoparasites. This review aims to present the reported parasites and their prevalence rates in cats in Türkiye.