Detection Of Intestinal Parasites Research Articles

Intestinal parasites of the endangered European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) populations in Slovakia

The present pilot research was focused on the detection of intestinal parasites in the ground squirrel populations in various regions of Slovakia. Only a very little information is currently available on the parasitic species composition of the European ground squirrel in Slovakia and across Europe. In the Slovak Republic, there are 70 locations where the ground squirrel populations are present. A total of 600 faecal samples of the European ground squirrels, collected from 36 locations all over Slovakia, were examined by applying the coprological method. The presence of the protozoan coccidian parasite of the Eimeria genus was confirmed in all of the analysed locations. The presence of eggs of four helminths were confirmed: Capillaria spp. (66.6% of locations); the Trichostrongylidae family (42.8% of locations); Hymenolepis spp. (11.9% of locations); and Citellina spp. (7.14% of locations). Dead individuals that were found in the analysed localities were subjected to necropsy and the tissues scraped off their small intestines were stained in order to confirm the presence of parasites. The post-mortem examination of the intestines and the sedimentation of the intestinal contents in a saline solution did not result in the confirmation of the presence of the eggs, adults or the larval stages of parasites. Spermophilus citellus is one of the strictly protected animal species in Slovakia. In recent years, numerous projects aimed at supporting and protecting ground squirrels have been implemented. The present pilot study on intestinal parasites and the subsequent cooperation with environmental activists will contribute to the support and stabilisation of the presence of these animals in our country.

Non-lethal detection of Eubothrium crassum (Cestoda) in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, using anal swabs and real-time PCR.

Detection of intestinal parasites in fish typically requires autopsy, resulting in the sacrifice of the fish. Here, we describe a non-lethal method for detecting the tapeworm Eubothrium crassum in fish using anal swabs and real-time PCR detection. Two assays were developed to detect cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial DNA and 18S ribosomal DNA sequences of E. crassum, respectively. The assays were tested on swab samples from confirmed pathogen free Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and on samples from farmed Atlantic salmon, where the presence and intensity of parasites had been established through autopsy. The COI assay was shown to be specific to E. crassum, while the 18S assay also amplified the closely related E. salvelini, a species infecting Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) in freshwater. The COI assay detected E. crassum in all field samples regardless of parasite load while the 18S assay failed to detect the parasite in two samples. The results thus demonstrates that this non-lethal approach can effectively detect E. crassum and can be a valuable tool in assessing the prevalence of infection in farmed salmon, aiding in treatment decisions and evaluating treatment effectiveness.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Domestic Cats in Mosul City, Iraq

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major source of disease in cats in the tropics and are a major cause of public health problems in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to investigate the intestinal parasites of domestic cats and infection rates according to the age of the animal. Fifty fecal samples were collected from domestic cats in Mosul city during the period from October 2019 Until the end of January 2020. Eleven species of intestinal parasite were identified in the feces of domestic cats included three genera of Nematodes: Toxocara cati (16%), Toxascaris leonina (8%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (8%), two genera of Cestodes: Taenia caniforms (4%), Diphylobothrium latum (2%), one genus of the Trematodes: Schistosoma intercalatum (2%) and five species of intestinal protozoa: Isospora felis (32%), Isospora rivolta (28%), Cryptosporidium spp. (10%), Entamoeba coli (12%), Toxoplasma like oocyst (6%). The total infection with intestinal parasites was (64%). The highest rate of infection was Isospora felis (32%), followed by Isospora rivolta (28%). This is the first record of the Isospora genus in the Mosul city, also recorded in this study for the first time in Iraq, the infection of cats with the parasite Schistosoma intercalatum (2%) and the infection with Entamoeba coli (12%) is the first record in the Mosul city. No significant differences were observed in the infection rates with different parasites between the age groups of animals and between the types of infection with different species of intestinal parasites in domestic cats.

Detection of intestinal parasites in human faecal samples using dissolved air flotation.

Ova and parasite (O&P) examination is recommended for the laboratory diagnosis of agents causing parasitic infections; however, this exam requires scientific and technological improvements to enhance its diagnostic validity. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is an efficient technical principle separating suspended solids in a liquid medium. We aimed to develop and validate a new procedure for intestinal parasite detection with DAF. In this study, we collected samples from 500 volunteers, screened them by direct examination, and transferred the material to tubes using the Three Faecal Test (TF-Test) for triplicate DAF tests. We evaluated physical-chemical parameters and DAF prototype components through quantifying parasites recovered from floated and non-floated regions of the flotation column. The DAF operation protocol was validated with the gold standard results. The 10% saturated volume proportion and cationic surfactant showed regularity and high parasite recovery (80%). Modifications of the needle device did not influence parasite recovery (p> 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and kappa agreement obtained with the DAF protocol were 91%, 100%, 93% and substantial (k= 0.64), respectively. The DAF principle could be used to process faecal samples in routine laboratory exams, enabling intestinal parasite detection.

Detection of intestinal parasites by different methods in our type 2 diabetic patients

Aim: Long term persistently high blood glucose levels result in various complications and conditions in diabetic patients. One of them is gastrointestinal disorders and the other is increased risk of infectious diseases like parasitosis. The aim of the study is to demonstrate of intestinal parasites with various techniques in diabetic patients and confirm of the frequency of the parasites.Methods: A total of 65 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were included in the study. Laboratory tests were done and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded. Fecal specimens were evaluated with direct microscopy, Kinyoun acid-fast staining method, trichrome staining method and antigen screening test.Results: Of the patients included in the study 31 were male and 34 were female. While 53.8% of the patients had no chronic complications of diabetes, 33.8% had multiple complications. Thirty (46.2%) patients had gastrointestinal complaints. Examination of stool samples revealed G. intestinalis in two patients (3.07%), C. parvum in three patients (4.6%), and G. intestinalis + E. histolytica in six patients (9.2%) by RAT. No association was found between the existence of parasite determined by RAT and any of the patient characteristics of age, sex, duration of diabetes, and dyspeptic complaints (p-values are 0.27; 0.14; 0.90; 0.68, respectively).Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the prevalence rate of parasitosis detected by RAT in patients with diabetes. In this study, we also compared different parasite detection methods in this patient population and showed that RAT is a more sensitive method.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Stool Samples by Microscopy and Real-Time PCR in Children with Vulnerable Living Conditions in Dakar, Senegal

Background: Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) are considered a serious public health problem and widely distributed worldwide, mainly in urban and rural environments of tropical and subtropical countries. Globally, soil- transmitted helminths and protozoa are the most common intestinal parasites. Decreasing the prevalence of IPIs is one of the main aims of health services in these countries. This study was designed to determine the current status of IPIs in children with vulnerable living conditions by microscopy and PCR. Methodology/main findings: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted. One stool sample per participant (n=253) was examined by direct smear, Formal-Ether Concentration (FEC), and real-time PCR. It was found that 17.39% harboured at least one helminth while 12.64% harboured two helminths or more. Among the microscopic techniques, FEC was able to detect the broadest spectrum of parasite species. However, FEC also missed a considerable number of infections, notably S. stercoralis and G. intestinalis. PCR outperformed microscopy in terms of sensitivity and range of parasite species detected. Conclusion: It was shown that intestinal parasites, especially helminths were omnipresent in our population studies. Classical techniques such as FEC are useful for the detection of some intestinal helminth species, but they lack sensitivity for other parasite species. PCR can detect intestinal parasites more accurately but is generally not feasible in resource-poor settings, at least not in peripheral labs. Hence, there is a need for a more field-friendly, sensitive approach for on-the-spot diagnosis of parasitic infections.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Stray Dogs from a Farming and Cattle Region of Northwestern Mexico.

Stray dogs are one of the main reservoirs of intestinal parasitic infections and some have zoonotic potential. An epidemiological survey was carried out between September 2017 and May 2018 in Mexicali Valley, this area sacrifices around 92,470 head of cattle monthly, which represents 27% of the national slaughter and has 71,307 hectares for crops. In this period the Municipal Animal Control Center during their routine visits to the Mexicali Valley captured 103 dogs. All the dogs were evaluated using copromicroscopic techniques to detect intestinal parasites. The general frequency of parasitic infections was 28.15% (29/103), the most frequent parasite being Dipylidium caninum 16.50% (17/103), followed by Taenia spp. 6.79% (7/103), Taenia hydatigena 2.91% (3/103), Taenia serialis 0.97% (1/103), Taenia pisiformis (0.97%), Toxocara canis 3.88% (4/103), Toxascaris leonina 1.94% (2/103), and Cystoisospora spp. 1.94% (2/103). No significant statistical associations were found between parasitic infections and the studied variables (sex, age, and size) however; there was a significant statistical association with the capture area. Most of the parasites found in this survey have potential to affect the human population and animal production.

A historical review of the techniques of recovery of parasites for their detection in human stools.

Since the early 20th century, the detection of intestinal parasites has improved with the development of several techniques for parasitic structures recovery and identification, which differ in sensitivity, specificity, practicality, cost, and infrastructure demand. This study aims to review, in chronological order, the stool examination techniques and discuss their advantages, limitations, and perspectives, and to provide professionals and specialists in this field with data that lays a foundation for critical analysis on the use of such procedures. The concentration procedures that constitute the main techniques applied in routine research and in parasitological kits are a) spontaneous sedimentation; b) centrifugation-sedimentation with formalin-ethyl acetate; and c) flotation with zinc sulfate solution. While selecting a technique, one should consider the purpose of its application and the technical-operational, biological, and physicochemical factors inherent in the procedures used in stool processing, which may restrict its use. These intrinsic limitations may have undergone procedural changes driven by scientific and technological development and by development of alternative methods, which now contribute to the improvement of diagnostic accuracy.

High Prevalence and Diversity of Zoonotic and Other Intestinal Parasites in Dogs from Eastern Spain.

The diversity and frequency of enteric parasites in dog populations in the Castellón province (Eastern Spain) were assessed using a prospective cross-sectional epidemiological survey. A total of 263 canine fecal samples were collected between July 2014 and July 2016. Detection of intestinal parasites was conducted by routine coprological methods. In addition, identification of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. was carried out by direct immunofluorescence microscopy, whereas the presence of Strongyloides spp. was assessed by real-time PCR in a selected number of specimens. Based on conventional and/or immunofluorescence microscopy examination, 65.8% (95% confidence interval: 59.7-71.5) of the investigated dogs were found infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite. G. duodenalis (35.4%) and members of the family Ancylostomatidae (27.0%) were the most prevalent protozoan and helminth parasites found, respectively. Other pathogens potentially infective to humans included Toxocara canis (8.0%), Cryptosporidium spp. (6.8%), and Strongyloides spp. (1.1%). Frequency of occurrence of helminthic, but not protozoan, enteroparasites was geographical origin dependent (p = 0.02), with dogs living in coastal areas presenting higher infection rates than those living in inland regions. Similarly, rural dogs were significantly more infected than urban dogs (p < 0.001). Our results revealed that zoonotic agents were common in dogs from the Castellón province. Animals from rural areas and sheltered dogs were particularly at risk of these infections.

Detection of intestinal parasites and isolation of potential pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics from food handlers

Detection of intestinal parasites and isolation of potential pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics from food handlers

Automated Parasite’s Detection in Microscopic Images of Stools Using Distance Regularized Level Set Evolution Initialized with Hough Transform

Background and purpose: The analysis of biomedical microscopic images is carried out manually in medical laboratories. The manual analysis of clinical images lets to both repetitive tasks and management of huge amounts of data. This is tedious and times consuming for laboratory technicians. Inevitably, it is also prone to human errors. Our objective in this work is to contribute to the automation of the analysis of microscopic images of stools using Distance Regularized Level Set Evolution automatically initialized by Hough transform. Method: We firstly converted the microscopic images to edge maps using canny algorithm. Next, we located the parasite through circular Hough transform and draw circles around them. Those circles stand as initial contours of DRLSE. The contours evolve until they fit the boundaries of the parasites. The final extraction is performed using a complementary method based on the signed distance character of the level set function. Results: The Distance Regularized Level Set Evolution has been automatically initialized. We applied our method to the detection of intestinal parasites in microscopic images. Experimental results show accurate, efficient and less time consuming of our scheme compared to others recently proposed in the literature. Conclusion: This is a notable contribution to the automation of stools examination in the medical laboratories. In forthcoming works, we plan to include this segmentation process in an expert system of parasitic diseases diagnosis.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites with Conventional and Molecular Methods in Follow-up HIV/AIDS Cases

In people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), several complaints related to the gastrointestinal system, mainly diarrhea can be determined. In our study, we aimed to detect the existence of intestinal parasites with conventional methods based on microscopy and with molecular methods based on multiplex-PCR among 90 anti-retroviral treatment (ART) naive or ART adherent HIV/AIDS cases. The existence of Giardia spp., Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Dientamoeba spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were searched in stool samples and the relation with the existence of these parasites and demographic/clinical data of the cases were determined. The demographic and clinical data of the participants included in the study were as follows; the average age was 34.02 ± 9.7 years, average time of diagnosis was 2.4 ± 1.7 years. Gender distribution was as follows; 85.6% male and 14.4% female. HIV transmission was related with heterosexual intercourse in 60%, homosexual intercourse in 33.3%, blood/blood products contact in 1.1% and with unknown routes in 5.6% of the cases. Fifty percent of the patients were in pre-ART and 50% was in on-ART state. The average CD4+ T lymphocyte count was detected as 400 cells/mm3 and the median of viral load was 114.527 copies/ml. An overall prevalence of at least one intestinal parasitic infection was recorded as 36.7% and the prevalence of this infection due to Blastocystis spp. was 22.2%, followed by Dientamoeba spp. (13.3%), E.histolytica (4.4%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.3%), Giardia spp. (2.2%) and multiple parasitic infections (7.7%). The type of sexual behaviours related with the detection of intestinal parasites were statistically significant especially in homosexual intercourse (p< 0.001). The increase in CD4+ T lymphocyte counts were reversely associated (p= 0.062) and the increase in the levels of viral load were positively associated (p< 0.001) with detection rate of intestinal parasite. The detection of parasites by molecular methods was statistically significant in pre-ART participants (p= 0.002) and participants with diarrhea (p= 0.019). In the present study, the increase in the frequency of intestinal parasitic infections has shown that essential interventions are required. In all HIV/AIDS cases, routine parasitic screening should be performed by more sensitive methods to manage early and specific treatment.

A STUDY OF STOOL SAMPLE FROM HIV POSITIVE AND HIV NEGATIVE AT ANDHRA PRADESH.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the variations, if any, in the types of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.Methods: For their HIV status in our laboratory by enzyme-linked immunoasorbant assay and TRIDOT, sample stool, macroscopic and microscopic examination, formal-ether concentration technique f, saline wet mount, iodine wet mount, modified acid-fast stain. Results: For the purpose of statistical analysis, the enteric parasites are divided into the coccidian group (Cryptosporidium+Isospora belli) and conventional enteric parasites (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, and Ascaris lumbricoides), and enteric parasitic infection is more common in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea than HIV-positive patient without diarrhea or HIV-negative individuals.Conclusion: The study period of 1 year and 8 months revealed that it is difficult to locate/identify a HIV-positive person in a place like Kadapa on account of confidentiality/lack of awareness among the population. Detection of intestinal parasites is 17.3% in HIV-positive patients and 12% in HIV-negative individuals.

A STUDY OF STOOL SAMPLE FROM HIV POSITIVE AND HIV NEGATIVE AT ANDHRA PRADESH.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the variations, if any, in the types of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.Methods: For their HIV status in our laboratory by enzyme-linked immunoasorbant assay and TRIDOT, sample stool, macroscopic and microscopic examination, formal-ether concentration technique f, saline wet mount, iodine wet mount, modified acid-fast stain. Results: For the purpose of statistical analysis, the enteric parasites are divided into the coccidian group (Cryptosporidium+Isospora belli) and conventional enteric parasites (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, and Ascaris lumbricoides), and enteric parasitic infection is more common in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea than HIV-positive patient without diarrhea or HIV-negative individuals.Conclusion: The study period of 1 year and 8 months revealed that it is difficult to locate/identify a HIV-positive person in a place like Kadapa on account of confidentiality/lack of awareness among the population. Detection of intestinal parasites is 17.3% in HIV-positive patients and 12% in HIV-negative individuals.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Diarrhea Samples Using Various Diagnostic Methods and Evaluation of the Stability of In-house Quality Control Materials for Stool Examination

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Diarrhea Samples Using Various Diagnostic Methods and Evaluation of the Stability of In-house Quality Control Materials for Stool Examination

Detection of intestinal parasites by use of the cuvette-based automated microscopy analyser sediMAX®

Microscopy is the reference method for intestinal parasite identification. The cuvette-based automated microscopy analyser, sediMAX 1, provides 15 digital images of each sediment sample. In this study, we have evaluated this fully automated instrument for detection of enteric parasites, helminths and protozoa. A total of 700 consecutively preserved samples consisting of 60 positive samples (50 protozoa, ten helminths) and 640 negative samples were analysed. Operators were blinded to each others' results. Samples were randomized and were tested both by manual microscopy and sediMAX 1 for parasite recognition. The sediMAX 1 analysis was conducted using a dilution of faecal samples, allowing determination of morphology. The data obtained using sediMAX 1 showed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 100%. Some species of helminths, such as Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercolaris, the Ancylostoma duodenale/Necator americanus complex, and schistosomes were not considered in this work, because they are rare in stool specimens, are not easily detectable with microscopy analysis, and require specific recovery techniques. This study demonstrated for the first time that sediMAX 1 can be an aid in enteric parasite identification.

Detection of intestinal parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil.

This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 48 samples of strawberries and 48 soil samples from 16 properties were analyzed. Contaminated strawberries were detected in 56% of the properties. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides or Ascaris suum, Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba spp. were detected. Soil was contaminated with Entamoeba spp., Entamoeba coli, Strongyloides spp., Ancylostomatidae, and Hymenolepis nana. Producers should be instructed on the safe handling of strawberries in order to reduce the incidence of strawberries that are contaminated with enteroparasites.

Detection of intestinal parasites in pig slurry: A preliminary study from five farms in Spain

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of intestinal parasites in pig slurries from several piggeries in Alicante (Spain). Pig slurries were collected in five highly-intensive pig farms (A–E), being sampled in each farm from the pits depending on the production cycle (gestating sows, farrowing sows, weaners, finishers). Samples were concentrated either through zinc sulphate flotation or by formalin–ethyl acetate sedimentation methods. Parasitological examination was performed by optical microscopy. Detection of Cryptosporidium sp. was performed using conventional acid-fast stain and by DNA extraction and PCR amplification. Cryptosporidium genus-specific primers (CPBDIAGF and CPBDIAGR) were used to amplify the Cryptosporidium SSU-rRNA variable region. Intestinal parasites were found in all farms studied. Several protozoa (Ballantidium coli, Entamoeba coli and Cryptosposidium sp.) and helminths (Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Fasciola hepatica, Strongylida and nematode larvae) were identified. Parasite viability studies are needed in order to assess the potential risk for animal and human health.

青森県八戸地域の飼育猫における消化管内寄生虫の検出状況

青森県八戸地域の飼育猫における消化管内寄生虫の検出状況