Distribution Of Parasites Research Articles

Prevalence of Parasitic Contamination of Vegetables Sold in Dutsin-Ma Markets, Katsina State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of parasitic contamination of vegetables sold in Dustin-Ma markets, Katsina State. A total of 270 vegetables including of lettuce, cabbage, spinach and sesame were obtained from three selected markets (Kasuwann Laraba, Kasuwann Aminu and Kasuwann Kadangaru), and examined for presence of parasitic eggs, cyst, larvae and worms by using using sedimentation method methods. This study found that of 88.9% of the vegetables sold in Dustin-ma markets tested positive for the presence of parasite contamination. The distribution of specific parasites among positive samples reveals the presence of Ascaris species 65(24.1%), hookworm 39(14.4%), Trichuris species 16(5.9%), Taenia species 23(8.5%), Hymenolepsis species 6(2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis 25(9.3%), Fasciola species 13(4.8), Toxocara species 4(1.5%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 49(18.1%). The lettuce, cabbage, spinach and sesame samples were contaminated with helminthic parasites with 27.1%, 28.8%, 27.1% and 17.1% respectively. Vegetable samples from Kasuwann Laraba had the highest prevalence of 85(31.5%), and Kasuwan Aminu with a total prevalence of 78(28.9%), while Kasuwann Kadangaru had the lowest prevalence with a total prevalence of 77(28.5%) at P < 0.05. Vegetables are important constituents of healthy diet and people have been encouraged to eat lots of raw (fresh) vegetables and these can serve as vehicles of transmitting enteric parasitic pathogens throughout the process of planting to consumption. Proper washing of vegetable is imperative, improve Sanitation and Hygiene Practices and Health Education are necessary for managing the prevalence of geohelminth parasites.

Big is not better: Comparing two alpha-Gal-bearing glycotopes in neoglycoproteins as biomarkers for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection

The protozoan parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is among Latin America's most widespread Leishmania species and is responsible for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). This disease has multiple clinical presentations, with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) being the most frequent. It manifests as one or a few localized skin ulcers, which can spread to other body areas. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment, typically with pentavalent antimonials, is critical. Traditional diagnostic methods, like parasite culture, microscopy, or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of the parasite DNA, have limitations due to the uneven distribution of parasites in biopsy samples. Nonetheless, studies have revealed high levels of parasite-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies in L. (V.) braziliensis-infected patients. Previously, we demonstrated that the neoglycoprotein NGP28b, consisting of the L. (Leishmania) major type-2 glycoinositolphospholipid (GIPL)-3-derived trisaccharide Galpα1,6Galpα1,3Galfβ conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) via a linker, acts as a reliable serological biomarker (BMK) for L. (V.) braziliensis infection in Brazil. This indicates the presence of GIPL-3 or a similar structure in this parasite, and its terminal trisaccharide either functions as or is part of an immunodominant glycotope. Here, we explored whether extending the trisaccharide with a mannose unit would enhance its efficacy as a biomarker for the serological detection of L. (V.) braziliensis. We synthesized the tetrasaccharide Galpα1,6Galpα1,3Galfβ1,3Manpα(CH2)3SH (G31SH) and conjugated it to maleimide-functionalized BSA to afford NGP31b. When we assessed the efficacy of NGP28b and NGP31b by chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on a cohort of CL patients with L. (V.) braziliensis infection from Bolivia and Argentina against a healthy control group, both NGPs exhibited similar or identical sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. This finding implies that the mannose moiety at the reducing end is not part of the glycotope recognized by the parasite-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies in patients' sera, nor does it exert a relevant influence on the terminal trisaccharide's conformation. Moreover, the mannose does not seem to inhibit glycan-antibody interactions. Therefore, NGP31b is a viable and dependable BMK for the serodiagnosis of CL caused by L. (V.) braziliensis.

Contribution to ecological environmental factors and the occurrence of haemosporidians in birds in Zhongar Alatau National Park, Kazakhstan

In addition to the presence of a suitable host and vector, the prevalence of haemosporidians is influenced by several important factors, including the environmental conditions of the habitat, which depend on broader geographic characteristics. The aim of this study is to perform a preliminarily assessment of the distribution of blood parasites in birds from the mountainous area of Zhongar Alatau NP and to find potential new sites for research on their ecology in Kazakhstan. The results of this research constitute the first report on the occurrence of blood parasites from this area. A total of 58 birds, from the order Passeriformes and one individual from the order Caprimulgiformes, were examined during the study. The overall prevalence of infections caused by haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon) was 18.6%. Neither the genus Plasmodium nor the presence of trypanosomes and microfilariae was detected in the birds examined. Three birds (5.1% prevalence) were infected with parasites of the genus Haemoproteus, in all eleven positive birds the analyses showed the presence of parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon (18.6% prevalence). The presence of parasites genus Haemoproteus was detected only in birds that were also infected with Leucocytozoon parasites. More infections with parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon are predicted due to the higher altitude and ecological factors at the capture sites, which are more favourable for the development of vectors of this genus. The species Haemoproteus majoris was detected in the host Emberiza cioides and species Haemoproteus minutus in host Turdus merula. Other species of this genus in the hosts Cyanistes cyanus and Turdus atrogularis were not determined. The species Leucocytozoon fringilinarum was detected in the hosts Cyanistes cyanus and Parus major, Leucocytozoon dubreuili was detected in Turdus atrogularis and Turdus merula. In the other host species Aegithalos caudatus, Emberiza cioides and Periparus aterus, it was not possible to dermine the species of the genus Leucocytozoon.

Assessments and Identification of Selected Fish-Borne Zoonotic Parasites in Nile Tilapia and African Catfish Species in Lakes of Haramaya District, Ethiopia

Global fish consumption increased higher than that of all other animal protein foods. The image of fish as a healthy food is the main reason for increasing demand for fish meat, but there are serious safety concerns related to the presence of fish-borne zoonotic pathogen including parasites. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022 at Lake Haramaya, Lake Tinike, and Lake Adele on Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus fish species to determine the prevalence of Contracaecum (Nematoda) and Clinostomum (Trematoda) infection. A total of 384 individuals of C. gariepinus 241 (62.76%) and O. niloticus 143 (37.24%) were sampled from Lake Haramaya 149 (38.8%), Lake Tinike 113 (29.4%) and Lake Adele 122 (31.8%). The overall prevalence of parasite was 30.2% (116/384) and higher overall prevalence of parasite was recorded in Lake Haramaya (36.2%) followed by Lake Adele (27.9%) and Lake Tinike (24.8%). C. gariepinus was more affected than O. niloticus fish and Contracaecum parasite was more prevalent than Clinostomum parasite (37.3% and 18.2%) and (29.9% and 14.6%), respectively. The distribution of parasite was significantly affected with respect to species of fish, sex, weight, and length categories, genera of parasite, and location of parasites. The perception of respondents on fish-borne zoonotic parasite (FBZP) was affected by demographic characteristics of respondents. Human and animals were interacted with the lakes and its environment adversely which can perpetuate the life cycle of FBZP. Moreover, unsafe fish meat processing from harvesting to consumption was the main problem at the study area, which can makes surrounding people under the risk of FBZP. However, the risks associated with FBZP can be reduced through the application of good hygiene, fishing practices, inspection of fish meat, proper storage, adequate cooking of fish, and with the promotion of the community awareness.

Into the danger zone: How the within-host distribution of parasites controls virulence.

Despite the importance of virulence in epidemiological theory, the relative contributions of host and parasite to virulence outcomes remain poorly understood. Here, we use reciprocal cross experiments to disentangle the influence of host and parasite on core virulence components-infection and pathology-and understand dramatic differences in parasite-induced malformations in California amphibians. Surveys across 319 populations revealed that amphibians' malformation risk was 2.7× greater in low-elevation ponds, even while controlling for trematode infection load. Factorial experiments revealed that parasites from low-elevation sites induced higher per-parasite pathology (reduced host survival and growth), whereas there were no effects of host source on resistance or tolerance. Parasite populations also exhibited marked differences in within-host distribution: ~90% of low-elevation cysts aggregated around the hind limbs, relative to <60% from high-elevation. This offers a novel, mechanistic basis for regional variation in parasite-induced malformations while promoting a framework for partitioning host and parasite contributions to virulence.

Prevalence of the endoparasitoid Verrallia aucta in Central Scotland: A potential biocontrol for Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), an important vector of Xylella fastidiosa

AbstractXylella fastidiosa is a bacterial plant pathogen transmitted by xylem‐feeding insect vectors such as the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, family Aphrophoridae). Although X. fastidiosa is not currently found in the UK, methods for reducing vector populations will play an important role in controlling the spread of disease in the event X. fastidiosa is introduced. The endoparasitoid big‐headed fly, Verrallia aucta Fallén 1817 (Diptera, Pipunculidae), is a parasite specific to Aphrophoridae and has the potential to be used as a biological control agent; however, there is limited information available on its current presence and prevalence in Scotland. This study used Sanger sequencing and morphology to identify V. aucta within Central Scotland. Additionally, four species of adult Auchenorrhyncha collected during Summer 2021 from sites across Central Scotland were molecularly screened for presence of V. aucta parasitism. Sex and habitat prevalence in V. aucta parasitism in P. spumarius was also examined. Findings from this study demonstrate V. aucta is present in Scotland and specifically parasitizes Aphrophoridae. Parasitism rates of P. spumarius ranged between 17% and 57%, with both male and female adult P. spumarius parasitized equally and rates differing according to habitat. Together, this study improved our knowledge and understanding of the parasitism rate, distribution and nature of V. aucta parasitism in Scotland. Further work is required to strengthen our understanding of the host–parasite relationship and take the first steps towards using V. aucta as a natural biocontrol agent to protect plants against transmission of X. fastidiosa.

A new freshwater Ceratomyxa species (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae) parasitizing a sciaenid fish from the Amazon Basin, Brazil.

Myxozoans of Ceratomyxidae Doflein, 1899 are common coelozoic parasites of marine life, and are also found less frequently in freshwater fish. The present study describes Ceratomyxa ranunculiformis n. sp. as a new freshwater myxosporean species infecting the gall bladder of the Amazonian sciaenid Plagioscion squamosissimus. The new Ceratomyxa was described based on its host, myxospore morphology, ribosomal rDNA gene sequencing, parasite distribution, and phylogenetic analysis. Immature and mature plasmodia were tadpole-shaped or pyriform, and exhibited slow undulatory motility. The myxospores were elongated and crescent-shaped in the frontal view, with a sutural line between two valves, which had rounded ends. The measurements of the formalin-fixed myxospores were: average length 4.9 (4.0-6.6) μm, average thickness 37.6 (32.4-43.9) μm, average posterior angle 165° (154°-173°). Two ovoid polar capsules of equal size, average length 2.0 (1.4-3.0) μm and average width 1.9 (1.4-2.4) μm, were located adjacent to the suture and contained polar filaments with 2-3 coils. The integrated comparative analysis of the morphological characteristics and molecular analyses of the ribosomal rDNA genes supported the identification of a new species of coelozoic Ceratomyxa. Maximum likelihood analyses showed the new species clustering within a well-supported clade, together with all the other Amazonian freshwater ceratomyxids.

Impact of anthropogenous environmental factors on the marine ecosystem of trophically transmitted helminths and hosting seabirds: Focus on North Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic and the Arctic seas.

Alongside natural factors, human activities have a major impact on the marine environment and thus influence processes in vulnerable ecosystems. The major purpose of this review is to summarise the current understanding as to how manmade factors influence the marine biocenosis of helminths, their intermediate hosts as well as seabirds as their final hosts. Moreover, it highlights current knowledge gaps regarding this ecosystem, which should be closed in order to gain a more complete understanding of these interactions. This work is primarily focused on helminths parasitizing seabirds of the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. The complex life cycles of seabird helminths may be impacted by fishing and aquaculture, as they interfere with the abundance of fish and seabird species, while the latter also affects the geographical distribution of intermediate hosts (marine bivalve and fish species), and may therefore alter the intertwined marine ecosystem. Increasing temperatures and seawater acidification as well as environmental pollutants may have negative or positive effects on different parts of this interactive ecosystem and may entail shifts in the abundance or regional distribution of parasites and/or intermediate and final hosts. Organic pollutants and trace elements may weaken the immune system of the hosting seabirds and hence affect the final host's ability to control the endoparasites. On the other hand, in some cases helminths seem to function as a sink for trace elements resulting in decreased concentrations of heavy metals in birds' tissues. Furthermore, this article also describes the role of helminths in mass mortality events amongst seabird populations, which beside natural causes (weather, viral and bacterial infections) have anthropogenous origin as well (e.g. oil spills, climate change, overfishing and environmental pollution).

Prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites in goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) from three provinces of China

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in small ruminants, especially goats and sheep, have caused significant socio-economic and public health challenges worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diversity and prevalence of GI parasites in goats and sheep in Jiangsu, Shaanxi and Hunan provinces of China, and to assess whether the age of animals, sampling season and feeding mode influence the distribution and infection of GI parasites. A total of 1,081 fecal samples collected from goats (n = 835) and sheep (n = 246) were detected by saturated saline flotation technique and nylon sifter elutriation and sieving method for eggs/oocysts, respectively. Based on the morphological observation of eggs and oocysts, one tapeworm, five nematodes, three trematodes and nineteen coccidia were identified, of which seven helminths belong to zoonotic parasites. The infection rate of parasites was 83.4% (902/1081) in total samples, 91.6% (765/835) in goats, and 55.7% (137/246) in sheep. The infection rate of coccidia was 71.0% (767/1081), and that of helminths was 56.2% (607/1081). The dominant species was E. alijeri (67.3%, 562/835) in goats, E. parva (30.1%, 74/246) in sheep. The highest prevalent helminths were Trichostrongylidae spp. in goats (58.3%, 487/835), and Moniezia spp. in sheep (22.76%, 56/246). Of 902 positive samples, 825 (91.5%, 825/902) contained multiple (2–10) parasites. The feeding mode, sampling season and regions were relevant risk factors which have significant influence on the occurrence of GI parasites in goats and sheep. The risk coefficient of parasite infection in autumn was 2.49 times higher than spring (Odds ratio = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.51–4.09, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Compared to raising on the high beds, the goats and sheep raising on the ground had the higher risk of parasite infection (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 2.07–7.40, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The risk coefficient of parasite infection in Shaanxi and Hunan was 3.78 and 1.25 times higher than that in Jiangsu (OR = 3.78, 95% CI = 2.01–7.12, p &amp;lt; 0.001; OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.21–1.29, p &amp;lt; 0.001). These data are significant for the development of prevention strategies to minimise economic losses from small ruminant production and to reduce the risk of water and food infecting humans as vectors of zoonotic parasitic diseases.

The Distribution of Gastrointestinal System Parasites Detected in Horses in Aydın

Çalışma, Aydın ilinde meralarda beslenen atlarda dışkı muayenesi yapılarak sindirim sistemi parazitlerinin çeşitliliğinin ve yaygınlığının belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla farklı yaş, cinsiyet ve ırktan toplam 242 attan taze dışkı örnekleri alınmış ve Fülleborn’un doymuş tuzlu su flotasyon ve Benedect sedimentasyon yöntemleriyle muayene edilmiştir. Çalışmada farklı ırklara ait toplam 242 at dışkı örneği incelenmiş ve 182 hayvan (%75.20) sindirim sistemi parazitleri yönünden pozitif olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular sonucunda örneklerin 150’sinde tekli, 32’sinde ikili miks enfeksiyonlar saptanmıştır. Örneklerin, 180’inde (%74.38) Strongylid tip yumurta, 7’sinde (%2.89) Anaplocephalidae spp, 4’ünde (%1.65) Parascaris equorum, 7’sinde (%2.89) Dicrocoelium dendriticum, 6’sında (%2.47) Fasciola spp. yumurtaları tespit edilirken, 10’unda (%4.13) ise Eimeria spp. ookistleri saptanmıştır. Aydın iline ait ilçelerde yetiştirilen atlarda mera kaynaklı gastrointestinal sistem enfeksiyonlarının oldukça yaygın olduğu görülmüş ve bu parazitlere karşı yetiştiricilerin bilgilendirilerek etkili mücadele programlarının oluşturulması gerektiği belirlenmiştir.

Gastrointestinal parasitosis in cattle: Unveiling the landscape across diverse production systems in Bangladesh.

Factors influencing parasitosis in cattle in Bangladesh remain inadequately explored, necessitating a comprehensive investigation for interventions and sustainable livestock farming. We conducted this study to estimate the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites, exploring their intricate relationship with farm management practices across a spectrum of small-, medium-, and large-scale commercial farms. We conducted this study in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. We collected a total of 189 freshly voided faecal samples from different farms. We recorded the age, breed, milking status, sex, body condition score, and anthelmintic use history of the sampled animals. We processed the samples using the direct smear method, with the identification of one egg per sample being considered positive. We estimated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in large-scale (52.1%), medium-scale (54.5%), and small-scale farms (70.0%), with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Both pregnant and lactating cows, as well as indigenous cattle, were more likely to have gastrointestinal parasites (p ≤ 0.05). The predominant parasites across farms of all sizes were trematodes (Paramphistomum spp. and Schistosomas spp.) and protozoa (Balantidium coli and Coccidia spp.). Poor farm management practices, such as no pasture management and inadequate deworming regimens, may contribute to the elevated prevalence and infection load observed on small-scale farms. The increased parasitosis in previously dewormed animals can be attributed to the development of anthelmintic resistance against gastrointestinal parasites. Implementing proper and effective deworming strategies is crucial to preventing gastrointestinal parasitosis and mitigating the risk of anthelmintic resistance.

Prevalence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites in Meat Goats in Southern Thailand.

Background: Intestinal parasites not only lead to poor goat health and productivity but can also affect human health. We investigated the distribution of zoonotic intestinal parasites among goats in southern Thailand to assess the human health risks. Materials and Methods: Overall, 561 fecal samples were collected randomly from goats in farms (55) in Songkhla, Satun, Pattalung, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces between January 2020 to January 2022. Parasite eggs were detected via the standard protocol formalin ether concentration technique (FECT). Results: Samples containing one or more intestinal parasites accounted for 97.33% (543/561) of the total samples, and the percentage of zoonotic parasite was 80.04% (449/561). Among the positive samples, two types of zoonotic helminths were identified, Strongylid egg type (79.32%) and Fasciola spp. (2.14%). Strongylid egg type was highly abundant in samples from Satun (84.62%), Songkhla (82.74%), Pattalung (79.31%), and Yala (77.27%). Fasciola spp. was mostly found in samples form Pattalung (13.79%) and Songkhla (1.12%). Eimeria spp. was the mostly identified protozoa 25.67%. It was mostly identified in samples from Narathiwat (75%), Pattani (41.9%), and Songkhla (31.41%). Mixed infections accounted for 40.82% of the total with 33 patterns. It was found that Strongylid egg types occurred in 28 patterns (84.85%). Strongylid egg types-Eimeria spp.-pattern was the most commonly found. Conclusion: Based on the results, zoonotic helminth infection was found together with widespread and high diversity of intestinal parasites infection in meat goats, which affect animal health and may pose a risk to human health. Mass deworming programs with a proper anthelmintic drugs and good agricultural practices need to be encouraged by the government so that people who contact with goats should practice good hygiene behavior. Farm management should be applied by intensive goat raising with pasture circulating to reduce parasite egg contamination. Moreover, fresh fertilizers from goat faces should be avoided.

Integrating databases for spatial analysis of parasite-host associations and the novel Brazilian dataset

Incomplete information on parasites, their associated hosts, and their precise geographical location hampers the ability to predict disease emergence in Brazil, a continental-sized country characterised by significant regional disparities. Here, we demonstrate how the NCBI Nucleotide and GBIF databases can be used as complementary databases to study spatially georeferenced parasite-host associations. We also provide a comprehensive dataset of parasites associated with mammal species that occur in Brazil, the Brazilian Mammal Parasite Occurrence Data (BMPO). This dataset integrates wild mammal species’ morphological and life-history traits, zoonotic parasite status, and zoonotic microparasite transmission modes. Through meta-networks, comprising interconnected host species linked by shared zoonotic microparasites, we elucidate patterns of zoonotic microparasite dissemination. This approach contributes to wild animal and zoonoses surveillance, identifying and targeting host species accountable for disproportionate levels of parasite sharing within distinct biomes. Moreover, our novel dataset contributes to the refinement of models concerning disease emergence and parasite distribution among host species.

Distribution of the Intestinal Parasites According to Species and Gender in Patients Presented to the Microbiology Laboratory in a Tertiary Hospital, in Somalia Between January 2018 and October 2022

Distribution of the Intestinal Parasites According to Species and Gender in Patients Presented to the Microbiology Laboratory in a Tertiary Hospital, in Somalia Between January 2018 and October 2022

Social behavior impacts parasite infection risk in equid groups

Among the various costs of gregarious behaviors, proximity highly contributes to facilitating parasite transmission. However, the intensity of parasite infection varies between individuals of a social group. It is then of high interest to identify the causes of such inequality for parasite management. In this study, we investigated the impact of individual social behaviors on parasite distribution in the largest European group of captive plains zebras (Equus quagga boehmi) and the consequences of anthelmintic treatment. For six months, 22 plains zebras were kept in a safari enclosure and observed for 10 minutes each by focal sampling for a total of 44 days over three months. Strongyle and coccidia individual infections were estimated monthly with a commercial OVATEC® Plus fecal analysis kit provided to veterinarians for fecal egg/oocyst count. Then, we used GLMM models with age, sex and time until or since anthelmintic treatment as fixed factors and with social factors (degree of connection and dominance) as predictors of individual variation in fecal parasite eggs and oocyst shedding. The social structure observed in captive plains zebras is comparable to that of wild plains zebras and horses. Before treatment, females were more infected than males. Then, we observed an increase in coccidia infection after anthelmintic treatment, and approximately 20% of zebras carried 70% of the total strongyle infection. Dominance, and degree were strong predictors of an individual’s strongyle infection intensity after anthelmintic treatment. Further investigation is needed to identify new treatment strategies based on social behaviors and to improve anthelmintics administration in large groups of equids.

Species identity and phylogeny of Paramphistomoidea Fischoeder, 1901 occurring in cattle and sheep in North Cameroon.

Paramphistomidae and Gastrothylacidae are parasitic flatworms occurring in wild and domestic ruminants in different parts of the world especially in Asia and Africa. In Central Africa, few studies have been done using molecular techniques to resolve taxonomical groupings and understand the epizootiology of these parasites. In this study, we molecularly characterized two hundred adult flukes collected from the fore stomachs of cattle and sheep in the Adamawa region of the northern Cameroon. PCR and sequencing of the nuclear ITS-2 of the ribosomal DNA gene and a portion of the mitochondrial cox-1 locus revealed the presence of at least nine species belonging to the genera of Cotylophoron, Calicophorn, Orthocoelium and Carmyerius. In Zebu cattle, we identified Ca. microbothrium, Ca. clavula, Ca. phillerouxi, Co. cotylophorum, Co. fuelleborni, O. scoliocoelium, Car. gregarius, Car. graberi and Car. mancupatus and one yet unknown Paramphistomoidea sp, whereas in sheep, only Ca. microbothrium was found. The present study also strongly suggests cross-hybridization between the two Cotylophoron species coexisting in cattle. These results have implications for the diagnosis and control of rumen flukes in the region and point to the need for accurate species identification to understand parasite distribution and population genetics.

Avian Trichomoniasis Prevalence in Domesticated Pigeons in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Abstract | Avian trichomoniasis is a disease that is spread globally in wild and domesticated birds, especially pigeons, caused by the parasite Trichomonas gallinae and known as canker. The complications of this illness include lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The present study's goal would be to study the prevalence of T. gallinae in domesticated pigeons in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, utilizing the internal transcribed spacer1-5.8s rRNA-internal transcribed spacer2 gene. A total of 405 pigeons including 160 of Alzajil pigeons, 160 of red pigeons and 85 of Arafali pigeons were collected from local markets for the period from September 2022 to May 2023, the infection rates were 38.13, 37.50, and 42.35 respectively. The study noted a non-significant difference at p. value &lt; 0.05 in distribution of T. gallinae according to bird's species. The study found that infection rate is higher in squabs than adults in all pigeons of the three groups. There was no effect of sex on the prevalence rates. As for the months in which the samples were collected the study found there is significant difference at p. value &lt; 0.05 of parasite distribution according to collection months, the highest infection rate was recorded in November 68.89 while the lowest isolated parasite was in April 17.78. &#x0D; Key words | Thi-Qar province, avian trichomoniasis, pigeons, light microscope.

Molecular and morphological studies on Contracaecum rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) from Italy and Israel.

The distribution of parasites is shaped by a variety of factors, among which are the migratory movements of their hosts. Israel has a unique position to migratory routes of several bird species leaving Europe to winter in Africa, however, detailed studies on the parasite fauna of birds from this area are scarce. Our study investigates occurrence and distribution of sibling species among Contracaecum rudolphii complex in Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from Italy and Israel, to acquire further information on the geographical range of these species to gain deeper knowledge on the ecology of these parasites and their bird host. A total of 2383 Contracaecum were collected from the gastric mucosa of 28 great cormorants (18 from Israel and 10 from Italy). A subsample was processed for morphological analyses in light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and for molecular analyses through amplification and sequencing of the ITS rDNA and the cox2 mtDNA, and through PCR-RFLP. All the 683 Contracaecum subjected to molecular identification belonged to C. rudolphii s.l., (300 C. rudolphii A and 383 C. rudolphii B). SEM micrographs provided, for the first time, details of taxonomic structures in male specimens from both sibling species, and the first SEM characterization of C. rudolphii B. This work presents the first data on the occurrence of sibling species of C. rudolphii in Israel and provides additional information on the distribution of C. rudolphii A and B in Italy, confirming the high prevalence and intensity of infection observed in Ph. carbo sinensis from other Italian areas.

Effect of altitude and spatial heterogeneity on the host-parasite relationship in anurans from a remnant humid forest in the brazilian semiarid.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of habitat heterogeneity, elevation gradient, and phylogenetic distance of host species on the abundance and richness of anuran endoparasites, assuming that parasites follow the distribution of their hosts independently of environmental variation. We collected 192 anurans distributed in three altitude ranges: 100-200m, 400-500m, and 700-800m. We performed discriminant principal component analysis to analyze the interrelationships between environmental heterogeneity and the distribution of parasite and host species in the formation of species groups in each altitude range. We estimated the niche width and parasite overlap, using host species as a variable, and assessed whether parasite abundance is more influenced by historical (distance host phylogeny) or ecological effects in each altitude category and overall. Finally, we use network analyses to understand how interactions between parasites and hosts are formed along the altitude gradient. We found 22 parasite species, and the overall prevalence of infection was 74%. In our study, we did not identify environmental (altitude gradients and heterogeneity) or phylogenetic effects acting on the parasite species diversity. Overall, our results suggest that the parasites are distributed following the dispersal of their hosts and are dispersed among most anuran species.

The frequency and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites before and during the COVİD-19 pandemic

Amaç: Çalışmamızda COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-2019) pandemisi öncesi ve pandemi döneminde, hastanemize başvuran hastalarda saptanan intestinal parazitlerin dağılımını belirlemeyi amaçladık. Materyal ve Metot: Hastanemizin Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarına 2019 (COVID-19 pandemi öncesi dönem) ve 2021 (COVID-19 pandemi dönemi) yıllarında gelen gaita örnekleri, intestinal parazitlerin araştırılması için makroskopik muayene sonrası nativ-lugol yöntemiyle ışık mikroskobunda incelendi. Alınan selefon bant örnekleri ise ışık mikroskobunda Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis) ve Taenia spp. açısından değerlendirildi. Bulgular: 2019 yılında gelen toplam 20973 numunenin 1260’ında (%6) ve 2021 yılında gelen toplam 4751 numunenin 426’sında (%8.9) parazit tespit edildi. 2021 yılında parazit pozitifliği 2019 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek bulundu. Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis), Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) ve E. vermicularis oranları 2019 yılında 2021 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek idi. Entemoeba histolytica/dispar (E. histolytica/dispar) ve Entemoeba coli (E. coli) pozitifliği 2021 yılında 2019 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek bulundu. 0-5 ve 6-12 yaş gruplarında pozitiflik oranları 2021 yılında 2019 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek idi. Çocuk hastalıkları ve immünoloji-alerji bölümünden gelen örnek sayıları 2021’de 2019 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek bulundu. Dahiliye ve enfeksiyon hastalıkları bölümünden gelen örnek sayıları 2019’da 2021 yılına göre anlamlı yüksek bulundu. Sonuç: Kişisel hijyen kurallarına uyum, sosyal izolasyon ve sağlık eğitiminin, COVID-19 pandemisinde parazit enfeksiyonlarının bir kısmını azaltmada etkili olduğunu düşünüyoruz. Elde edilen verilerin pandemi dönemlerinde parazitik enfeksiyonlarla mücadelede yol gösterici olabileceği kanaatindeyiz.