Comparative Study of Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Human Handlers in Wasit Province, Iraq Using Microscopic and Serological Methods

This study was carried out to detect the Cryptosporidium spp in Karbala province, Iraq from. December 2019 to September 2020. Age, sex, and months interference with parasite prevalence were studied. A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from adults and young and from both sexes of human. Fecal samples were subjected to conventional methods (Flotation Methods by Sheather's sugar solution and stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen) for parasite diagnosis. The result recorded that the infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp was 26%. The age group of 2-6 years had the highest infection rate comparing to other age groups ranged from 12-25 years yet was marginal significant (P<0.06). Regarding sex, there was no significant differences in infection rate, although the males recorded numerically higher rate of prevalence. The rate of infection of Cryptosporidium spp were varied among months, where in February recorded 46.66% in contrast to 10% recorded in July. It can be concluded that variables studied (age, sex, and months) have no influence on Cryptosporidium prevalence in Karbala province.

In a survey of 139 dogs from Illinois, Isospora bigemina was found in 1%, I. rivolta in 18%, I. canis in 16%, and free sporocysts considered to be of I. rivolta in 3%. The sporulated oocysts of I. bigemina measured 10 to 14 by 10 to 12 /L, those of I. rivolta were 20 to 27 by 15 to 24 ,u, those of I. canis were 35 to 42 by 27 to 33 ,u, and the free sporocysts were 15 to 17 by 10 to 11 u. Abnormal, Caryospora-like oocysts of I. rivolta were found in one dog, and of I. canis in another. Accounts of the sporulated oocysts of the species of Isospora in dogs are based on the papers by Wenyon (1923, 1926). However, he thought that dogs and cats had the same species of Isospora. The only species that he actually described from the dog was I. rivolta; he described I. felis and I. bigemina from the cat and believed that they occurred in both animals. Later workers (e.g., Becker, 1934; Lee, 1934; Gassner, 1940; Catcott, 1946; Choquette and Gelinas, 1950; Ehrenford, 1953; Levine, 1961) accepted these three species of Isospora as occurring in dogs. Recently, however, Nemeseri (1959, 1960) showed that the form in the dog previously thought to be I. felis was actually a different species, which he named I. canis. Detailed descriptions of the sporulated oocysts of the species of Isospora in dogs are lacking. The present study was undertaken in order to provide such descriptions and to learn something of the prevalence of each coccidian species in this host. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fresh fecal samples were taken from 139 dogs from Illinois. One hundred were patients submitted to the University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic for treatment or observation (but not for coccidiosis); 15 were stray dogs purchased by the College of Veterinary Medicine for teaching; and 24 were purebred beagle puppies purchased for research. Each fecal specimen was examined for coccidia after flotation with Sheather's sugar solution. The developmental stage of each species was determined. Each fecal sample was then mixed with 2.5% potassium bichromate solution and placed in a thin layer in a petri dish for 1 week at room temperature to permit the coccidian oocysts to sporulate. It was then stored in the refrigerator. The oocysts were again concentrated by flotation Received for publication 27 February 1965. with Sheather's sugar solution and examined with a Leitz Ortholux microscope equipped with apochromatic objectives.

The study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the Kato-Katz, formalin ether concentration method (FECM) and FLOTAC using Sheather's sugar solution (FS1), saturated sodium chloride (FS2) and zinc sulfate (FS7) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites among school children, focusing on Schistosoma mansoni. Ninety fecal samples were examined using the above mentioned techniques. The overall infection rate was 87.7%. Concerning protozoa, FLOTAC (FS1 and FS2) and FECM detected nearly equal infection rates (43.3% and 44.4%, respectively) with very good agreement. Kato-Katz diagnosed the highest helminthic infection rate (57.8%) followed by FLOTAC FS7 (44.4%) and FECM showed the lowest helminthic infection rate (27.7%). As for S. mansoni, Kato-Katz showed an infection rate of 38.8% vs FLOTAC (22.2%) and FECM (11.1%). The three techniques detected the same infection rate (11.1%) with egg counts more than 72 eggs/gram of feces. The FLOTAC sensitivity and accuracy for the diagnosis of protozoa were 97% and 99%, respectively. Regarding helminths diagnosis, FLOTAC technique showed higher sensitivity (77%) and accuracy (87%) compared to FECM (48% sensitivity and 70% accuracy). Therefore, FLOTAC can be used synchronously or in replacement to other diagnostic techniques. This can strategically impact future control programmes of intestinal parasitic infections in limited resources settings.

Eimeria pelecani sp. n. is described from Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis in Florida. Broadly pyriform to ovoid oocysts measured 14 to 20 by 13 to 16 u (17.6 by 14.2 U), and sporocysts were 10 to 13 by 5 to 8 A (11.0 by 6.7 u). Polar granule and sporocyst residuum present; micropyle and oocyst residuum absent. Oocyst wall 1.1 A thick, consisting of 2 layers. As part of a study of the impact of parasitism on the brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis, fecal samples were collected from 30 nestling pelicans. A new species of Eimeria found in these samples is described below. MATERIALS AND METHODS Biologists of the Florida Came and Fresh Water Fish Commission collected 10 nestling pelicans from the Bird Keys Colony, Lee County, Florida, on 23 May 1972, and 20 more from the same colony on 27 June 1972. The birds were brought to Gainesville where fecal samples were taken from the cloaca, mixed with 2% potassium dichromate, and sent by mail to Auburn. For microscopic examination, the feces were mixed with Sheather's sugar solution, centrifuged to recover oocysts, and examined using a 100X planapochromatic oil immersion objective. Fifty sporulated oocysts and 50 sporocysts were measured. The number of layers in the oocyst wall was determined by crushing the oocysts with pressure on the cover slip. All measurements are in microns with the means in parentheses following the ranges.

Comparison of two coproparasitological techniques for the detection of Platynosomum sp. infection in cats

This study was aimed to investigate the incidence of Cryptosporidiosis in 200 fecal samples from slaughtered broiler chicken carcasses in the local markets in some areas of Baghdad city (Al-Hurriya, Al -Kadhimiya and Al-Shuala), during March to May 2017. Three diagnostic techniques used (flotation by Sheather's sugar solution, staining with Modified Zeihl-Neelsen stain, and measuring of isolated Cryptosporidium oocysts by ocular micrometer) to determine the type of Cryptosporidium species, and for conform that the isolated species of parasite from infected cases belong to the C.baileyi. Experimental infection done in, 18 broiler chicken chicks aged one week divided to three groups first (G1) and second (G2) inoculated orally with, (500, 1000) oocysts per chick respectively, while the third group remain as a control (G3), than pathological lesions detected in some internal organs of infected chicks (trachea, intestine and bursa of fabricius). The study recorded a total infection rate 35% (75/200) in slaughtered broiler chicken. The result were revealed that the highest rate of infection occurs in April, reached 46% (23/50), while the lowest rate of infection in June, reached 20% (10/50). The experimental study revealed, the infection was occur in all chicks, of (G1) and (G2), and the first clinical signs appear after 7days post infection (PI) which include diarrhea, dullness, anorexia, and increased consumption of water, which represented the incubation period of the parasite, while the shedding of oocysts in feces started after 6-9days PI.

A cross sectional study on Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in small ruminants at ELFORA export abattoir was conducted from October 2005 to February 2006. In this study, attempts were made to determine the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in sheep and goats. Moreover, potential risk factors associated with the infections and the species of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium incriminated in the infections were identified. A total of 384 fecal samples were collected and examined by flotation technique using Sheather's sugar solution to detect the oocysts of Eimeria and Cryptosporiudium species. For Cryptosporidium infection, fecal samples were also examined under a microscope using modified Kinyoun acid-fast staining technique. Measurement of oocysts to identify the species involved in the infections and determination of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) was also conducted. Out of the 384 fecal samples examined, 59.6% of Eimeria infection was recorded. Statistically significant variation (P < 0.001) in the prevalence rate of Eimeria infection between animal hosts and different age groups was observed. There was no significant variation (P > 0.05) observed in the mean OPG values of Eimeria between the 2 age groups of the study animals.

Cryptosporidium spp. in caged exotic psittacines from Brazil: Evaluation of diagnostic methods and molecular characterization

Nothing is known about the coccidian parasites of vagrant shrews, Sorex vagrans Baird, 1868. Here we report, for the first time, the occurrence of Eimeria longirostris Hertel and Duszynski, 1987 from faecal contents of S. vagrans from Montana, USA. Faecal samples, collected in July and August 2020 from six pitfall-trapped vagrant shrews as well as faeces from two masked shrews, Sorex cinereus Kerr, 1792, and one American pygmy shrew, Sorex hoyi Baird, 1857 from Missoula County, Montana, USA, were examined for coccidian parasites. Samples were placed in individual vials containing aqueous potassium dichromate. They were examined for coccidia after flotation in Sheather's sugar solution, measured, and photographed. Three (50%) S. vagrans and one (50%) S. cinereus were found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria longirostris Hertel and Duszynski, 1987; the single S. hoyi was negative. Oocysts from S. vagrans were subspheroidal and measured (average L × W) 16.1 × 14.4µm with an L/W ratio of 1.1. One (typically) to two polar granules was present but a micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent. Sporocysts were ovoidal and measured 9.6 × 6.2µm with an L/W ratio of 1.6. A Stieda body was present but subStieda and paraStieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of various sized granules typically scattered between and across the sporozoites but sometimes formed a loose aggregate or compact mass. We document a new host and new geographic record for E. longirostris from S. vagrans and report the coccidian from S. cinereus for the third time but the first report from specimens from Montana. This coccidian has now been reported from at least 12 species of shrews within the genus Sorex in 14 US states and two provinces in Canada.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite of medical importance that causes gastroenteritis in a variety of vertebrate hosts, so the study was conducted to evaluate the anti-cryptosporidiosis efficacy of alcoholic and aqueous Chlorella algae extracts in comparison with Azithromycin in the intestines of infected mice. Fecal samples were collected from patients at Al-Kut Hospital suffering from diarrhea in the period December 2021 to end of March 2022, and 90 microscopic samples of both sexes were examined using a modified Ziell-Nelson stain to detect oocysts infected with the parasite. Isolation and flotation purification with Sheather's sugar solution and preservation in potassium dichromate for the purpose of infection in mice. The Experimental study was on groups of 57 mice by dealing with oral parasite oral oocysts within 104 oocyst/ ml except for the negative group addressed by a fishery saline solution. To strict injury, the detailed mice has been examined with microscopic parasites using Ziehl-Nelson Stain, and molecular screening was performed using Multiplex PCR technology. After the mice were divided into five groups with the uninfected and untreated group kept as a healthy negative control. The first group which included 21 mice was treated after it was divided into three subgroups A, B, C for each secondary group 7 mice they were treated with alcoholic extract of Chlorella at different concentrations 50, 100, 150 mg/ml on the respectively, while the second group which included 21 mice on three groups A, B, and C was treated with aqueous extract of Chlorella at the previous concentrations for three consecutive days for each concentration. The third group was treated with azithromycin at a concentration of 500 ml, and the positive control group remained infected with the parasite and was not treated. After treatment a microscopic examination was performed by evaluating the excretion average of parasite oocysts using a hematocytometer slide. The results of histological examination showed that treatment with alcoholic and aqueous Chlorella algae extracts led to remarkable repair and regeneration with restructuring in all sections of the small intestine infected with Cryptosporidium spp. parasite to varying degrees according to the concentrations used. Whereas the groups treated with Chlorella algae extracts showed epithelial layers renewed with the formation of non-enlarged cells and less edema, in addition less infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the submucosal layer. There was a slight inflammation in the tissues of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum with a clear decrease in inflation and the degree of inflammation as well as less severe lesions in the intestinal tissues treated with alcoholic and aqueous extract of Chlorella algae in the highest concentrations with complete disappearance of parasite oocysts.Key words: Intestine, Cryptosporidium spp., Chlorella

Nothing is known of the coccidian parasites of the Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790). Here, we report a new species of Isospora from T. l. ludovicianus from Oklahoma, USA. Faecal samples were collected between September and December 2021 from five adult T. l. ludovicianus taken with a mist net from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, and examined for coccidian parasites. Samples were placed in individual vials containing aqueous potassium dichromate. They were examined for coccidia after flotation in Sheather's sugar solution, measured, and photographed. Tissue samples from the intestine of a single positive bird were removed and placed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for examination of coccidian endogenous stages. A single Carolina wren (20%) was found to be passing a new species of Isospora. Oocysts of Isospora edwardwilsoni n. sp. were subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measured (L × W) 23.8 × 20.3µm, and had a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.2; a micropyle and oocyst residuum was absent but typically one to up to four polar granule(s) was present. Sporocysts are ovoidal to ellipsoidal and measured 15.3 × 9.7µm, L/W 1.6; a knob-like Stieda body was present as well as a distinct rounded sub-Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum was composed of various-sized granules in a compact irregular mass or dispersed between and across the sporozoite, or a combination of both within the same sporocyst. Information is also presented on the endogenous development of this coccidian. This is the first coccidian reported from T. l. ludovicianus and, more importantly, the first known from the members of the family Troglodytidae in North America.

Equine tapeworm infections in Italy: A nationwide coprological survey.

Copromicroscopic and molecular assays for the detection of cancer-causing parasitic nematode Spirocerca lupi

A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats

The hosts were from Alabama and Florida. The subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal oocysts of E. carri measure 12 to 20 by 12 to 16 fu (mean 15.9 by 14.5), and sporocysts are 10 to 13 by 4 to 6 Au (mean 11.1 by 5.2). Micropyle and polar granule are absent. Oocyst and sporocyst residua are present. This is the first description of an eimerian oocyst from Terrapene carolina. During May, June, and August 1972, seven box turtles were collected from Alabama and Florida and examined for parasites. Two of the turtles, one from Alabama and one from Florida, were found to be infected with a previously undescribed species of Eimeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five of the turtles were collected alive near Auburn, Lee County, Alabama, and 2 were collected alive near Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. They were transported to the Regional Parasite Research Laboratory at Auburn within 24 hr after capture and were necropsied and examined for parasites within 48 hr after capture. Fecal pellets from each turtle were examined for coccidian oocysts using Sheather's sugar flotation solution (Levine, 1961). The intestinal contents were removed from each turtle positive for coccidian oocysts, mixed thoroughly in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution, strained through a single layer of cheesecloth to remove large debris, and placed in a thin layer in a petri dish. After sporulation for 1 week at room temperature (20 to 24 C) the oocysts were concentrated by flotation with Sheather's sugar solution and were examined with a Zeiss Photomicroscope II equipped with a 100 X planapochromatic oil immersion objective. In the following description, all measurements are in microns with means in parentheses following the ranges. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Eimeria carri sp. n. (Fig. 1)