Nematode Trichuris Research Articles

Intestinal parasites of Apodemus mystacinus along altitudinal stratification of Ibrahim River, Mount Lebanon.

This study documents the diversity of intestinal parasites in the eastern broad-toothed field mouse (Apodemus mystacinus) along the altitudinal gradient of Ibrahim River in Mount Lebanon during the spring and autumn of 2017. A total of 190 A. mystacinus were trapped in seventeen sites (6 riparian, 11 non-riparian) and examined for intestinal parasites. Eight intestinal parasites were identified including Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Trichuris muris, Syphacia frederici, Protospirura muris, and Aspiculuris tetraptera (nematodes), Hymenolepis diminuta (cestode), Brachylaima spp. (trematode), and Eimeria alorani (coccidian). Most of the trapped mice (85%) were infected with intestinal parasites and 38.84% showed concurrent infection with at least two parasitic species. The season had a significant effect on mice infection with Syphacia frederici, and mice are most likely to have infection with this nematode in spring season. The vegetation zone had a significant overall impact on mice infection with the nematodes Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Trichuris muris while gender did not influence significantly mouse infection with intestinal parasites. This is the first study that has been carried out to identify the intestinal parasite community in A. mystacinus of Ibrahim River region. The findings pave the way for future studies on intestinal parasites in rodents and the environmental variations affecting their dynamics.

Studies on parasitic contamination of soil and local drinking water sources, Doma Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Water is essential to all living things on earth, however if contaminated, can be injurious to human health when consumed. This study evaluates the parasitic contamination of potable water sources and surrounding soil in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Forty-eight soil and water samples from different sources (wells, streams and boreholes) were collected from March to July 2017. Water samples were analyzed using the Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) floatation method while a modified Baermann Technique was used to microscopically examine soil samples for the parasitic presences. 32 water samples were parasitized including 2 protozoans ( Entamoeba histolytica , and Giardia lamblia) 3 nematodes ( Trichuris trichiura , Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm), and Fasciola hepatica a trematode. The nematodes were most contaminated 19(59.38%) while trematodes were least 1(3.13%). The most contamination was in stream water sources for late dry and early wet season (69.23% and 94.74%) while the boreholes had no contamination for both seasons. Prevalence of parasites in relation to water sources showed a high significant difference ( p = 0.0000001), while there was no significant difference in relation to late dry and early rainy seasons ( p = 0.1258). Geohelminths was highest around the boreholes 15(35.71%) but least in the streams 13(30.95%). However, there was no significant difference ( p = 0.6221) in the prevalence rate of geohelminths in relation to sources of water. Result indicated a high rate of parasitic contamination of soil and drinking water sources in the study=area. Hence there is need for advocacy and enlightenment on the importance of proper drinking water treatment. Keywords: Geohelminths; parasitic contamination; water

Evaluation of parasitic contamination of local potable water sources in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The health and well-being of individuals in a nation absolutely depends on the quality of water available for consumption. Therefore, this study evaluated parasitic contaminants of drinking water sources in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 48 water samples were collected from different sources (boreholes, wells and streams) from March to July 2017. The water samples were analyzed using the Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) floatation method and the samples were examined microscopically for the presences of parasites. A total of 32 (66.67%) water samples were parasitized by a trematode (Fasciola hepatica), two protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia) and three nematodes (Trichuris trichiuria, Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm). The nematode group had the highest contamination rate 19 (59.38%) followed by the protozoan group 12 (37.50%) while trematode was the least with 1(3.13%). The stream source was the most contaminated in late dry and early wet seasons having 69.23% and 94.74% respectively, followed by wells which had 30.77% and 5.26% in late dry and early wet seasons respectively while boreholes had 0% contamination in both seasons. Therefore, prevalence of parasites in relation to sources of water showed a very high significant association (X2= 49.741, df = 2, P < 0.0001), while there was no significant association with seasons (X2 = 2.3438, df = 1, P = 0.1258).Result indicated high rate of parasitic contamination of drinking water sources in the study area. Hence, the need for advocacy and enlightenment of the inhabitants of the area on the importance of proper treatment of potable water.Key words: Parasites, potable water sources, seasons

Profile of Geohelminth Eggs, Cysts, and Oocysts of Protozoans Contaminating the Soils of Ten Primary Schools in Dschang, West Cameroon.

Helminthiasis and protozoans infections have been recognized as an important public health problem. The aim of the present study was to screen soil samples collected from 10 primary schools in the city of Dschang for the presence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs, cysts, and oocysts of protozoans. A total of 400 soil samples were collected around latrines, at playgrounds, and behind classrooms in each school. These samples were examined using the sucrose flotation method. From the result obtained, an overall contamination rate of 7.75% was observed. Five genera of nematodes (Ascaris, Trichuris, Capillaria, Cooperia, and hookworms) were identified, while neither cysts nor oocysts of protozoans were detected. The contamination rate and the number of species found were significantly different in wet season as compared to the dry season. During the rainy season, this rate was 12.5% with all the parasitic stages identified, while, in the dry season, the soil contamination rate was 3% with the presence of only two genera (Ascaris and Trichuris). This suggests that parasite infection may occur mainly in rainy season rather than in the dry season. The most common eggs were those of Ascaris with 2% and 5% contamination rates in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Also, the soils around latrines were more contaminated (11.9%) as compared to those collected behind classrooms (7.5%) and those at playground (2.5%). It was concluded that the pupils of these schools may have played a major role in the contamination of their environment. Thus, sanitary education, enforcement of basic rules of hygiene, and deworming remain a necessity in the entire population of the study area in general and in the schools in particular in order to prevent helminth infections and to ensure effective environmental health.

Study on the Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Holder Dairy Farm in and around Harar Town, Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

A cross- sectional study of prevalence of Gastro-intestinal helminthiasis of small holder dairy cows was carried out from December 2007 to April 2008 with an attempt to determine the prevalence in Harar town and its surrounding, Eastern Ethiopia. Amongst the 287 coprological analysis or quantitative faecal analysis on dairy cows were performed with an overall prevalence rate 139 (48.4%) by using coprological examination. Coprological examination (Direct, Floatation, sedimentation and Mc Master Techniques) were the methods followed to study the prevalence of GI - parasitic infestation. An overall GI-parasitic infestation of 48.4% was found in this study. The result also revealed that nematodes Strongyles (38.4%) and Trichuris (8.4%), paraphistomum (13.9%) and Coccidia (10.5%) in that order. The helminth eggs present were identified in general terms as strongyloid eggs, since relevant nematode genera produce eggs that are similar in appearance and cannot be discriminated easily, except for eggs of Nematodirus, Strongyloides and Trichuris. In view of the prevalence of hazardous parasitic gastro intestinal parasites with a potential of entailing serious direct and indirect losses, and accompanying in these small holder dairy cows deserve attention and pertinent action to see they are controlled because high economic importance deserving due attention in helminth control programs in the study area.

Pulmonary and intestinal parasites in colony cats as markers for biodiversity in an urban area

Urban colony cats are part of the vertebrate community in urban ecosystems in the metropolitan area of Milan, Lombardy, Italy (45° 27′ N, 9° 11′ E) their management is mainly based on the practice of their capture/sterilization/release. Aims of this research, performed from May 2013 to March 2014, were to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of endoparasitic infections in urban colony cats, the spatial distribution of infected colony cats, and the likelihood that parasites of colony cats act as markers for biodiversity in an urban ecosystem. Pulmonary and intestinal parasites were detected in feces of 35.92 % of colony cats specifically, four intestinal nematodes (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae and Trichuris vulpis), two intestinal cestodes (Dipylidium caninum and Spirometra sp.), one intestinal protozoan (Cystoisospora sp.) and one pulmonary nematode (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) were isolated. Infected and non-infected colony cats did not show any statistically significant difference as to their distances from the center of the city. However, in urban colony cats infected and non-infected by A. abstrusus, in cats infected and non-infected by parasites presenting an indirect life cycle (ILC) and in cats with or without multiparasitic infections were detected appreciable differences in their distances from the edges of the nearest green urban areas having different sizes. For A. abstrusus, parasites with an indirect life cycle (ILC), and multiparasitic infections, significant differences in distance from green urban areas were detected for infected vs. non-infected urban colony cats particularly, shorter distances for infected cats were observed, suggesting that cats living closer to green urban areas with higher biodiversity were more likely to be infected.

Parasite prevalence and community diversity in sympatric and allopatric populations of two woodrat species (Sigmodontinae: Neotoma) in central California.

Patterns of host-parasite association may vary across the landscape in part because of host and parasite diversity, divergence, local ecology, or interactions among these factors. In central coastal California, we quantified parasite prevalence, infection intensity, and diversity in two sister species of woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes and Neotoma macrotis) where the species co-occur (sympatry) and where each species exists alone (allopatry). In feces from 50 adults we identified seven taxa: the protozoans Eimeria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, the nematodes Trichuris, Aspicularis, and Eucoleus, and a cestode in the family Anoplocephalidae. Gastrointestinal parasite infection intensity and diversity were higher in males than in females, a difference that was most pronounced in the more aggressive N. fuscipes. Both species had lower infection intensity in sympatry than in allopatry and in sympatry the two species did not differ in infection intensity in total but did maintain distinct parasite communities. Taken together, our findings suggest that host evolutionary differences, including perhaps species-specific patterns of aggressive behavior, as well as local ecology, influence the likelihood of infection by these endoparasite taxa.

Prevalência de enteroparasitas em crianças atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde em uma cidade do sul do Brasil

Helminthes and enteric protozoa are serious problem of public health in developing countries. This study analyzed the prevalence of intestinal parasites in preschool children attend at basic health unities (BHS) in the city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Stool samples collected from 144 children were analyzed, from October 2009 to March 2010. The observed prevalence rate for enteroparasites was 17.4 %, including eggs of nematodes Ascaris lumbricoides (11.1 %) and Trichuris trichiura (6.3 %), and cysts of protozoan Giardia lamblia (4.9 %). Also, cysts of protozoa considered as non-pathogenic, such as Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and Enteromonas hominis were found in 28.5 % of children. Regarding to the BHSs prevalence, in BHS-1 was detected a positivity of 36.4 %, 11.1 % in BHS-3, 14.8 % in BHS-4, 8 % in BHS-5 and 19.2 % in BHS-6. No positivity was detected in the stool samples from BHS-2. The prevalence of intestinal parasites registered in the studied population suggests the occurrence of probable conditions for re-infection, and the need to implement the basic sanitation procedures and programs which will provide an improvement in the life quality of these children.

Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection is associated with lower MHC class II gene expression in Apodemus flavicollis: Indication for immune suppression?

Due to their key role in recognizing foreign antigens and triggering the subsequent immune response the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) provide a potential target for parasites to attack in order to evade detection and expulsion from the host. A diminished MHC gene expression results in less activated T cells and might serve as a gateway for pathogens and parasites. Some parasites are suspected to be immune suppressors and promote co-infections of other parasites even in other parts of the body. In our study we found indications that the gut dwelling nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus might exert a systemic immunosuppressive effect in yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). The amount of hepatic MHC class II DRB gene RNA transcripts in infected mice was negatively associated with infection intensity with H. polygyrus. The hepatic expression of immunosuppressive cytokines, such as transforming growth factor β and interleukin 10 was not associated with H. polygyrus infection. We did not find direct positive associations of H. polygyrus with other helminth species. But the prevalence and infection intensity of the nematodes Syphacia stroma and Trichuris muris were higher in multiple infected individuals. Furthermore, our data indicated antagonistic effects in the helminth community of A. flavicollis as cestode infection correlated negatively with H. polygyrus and helminth species richness. Our study shows that expression analyses of immune relevant genes can also be performed in wildlife, opening new aspects and possibilities for future ecological and evolutionary research.

Raptor pellets as zooarchaeological material for paleoparasitological studies in Patagonia

Raptor pellets from Cerro Casa de Piedra archaeological sites, Patagonia, have yielded consistent evidence of parasitism and possible zoonoses in ancient times. Pellet samples analyzed were dated at 2740 ± 100 and 3.990 ± 80 years before present and have produced evidence of three intestinal parasite genera. Eggs of two nematodes Trichuris and Calodium, and one cestode, taeniid, were found. Its significance for rock shelters paleoepidemiology of the Holocene is discussed. This study increases the evidences that raptor pellets can be used as source of paleoparasitological information in archaeological sites.

Efficacy of a Combination of Emodepside plus Praziquantel against Larval and Adult Stages of Nematodes (Trichuris muris, Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in Rodents

A combination of emodepside plus praziquantel was tested in laboratory mice strain C57BL/10 experimentally infected with Trichuris muris. Under the conditions chosen, a single topical administration of 3.0 mg emodepside per kg of body weight (bw) and 12.0 mg praziquantel per kg bw at day 52 led to a survival rate of 6.8% of mature T. muris at 54 day post infection (dpi). Using the same dose at 3 dpi, the survival rate of mature nematodes at 52 dpi was 84.7%. However, when single treatment with 3.0mg emodepside per kg bw plus 12.0 mg praziquantel per kg bw was used at 20 dpi or 35 dpi, the survival rates of adult nematodes on day 52 were 15.7 or 18.8%, respectively. Following a single administration of 6 mg emodepside per kg bw and 24 mg praziquantel per kg bw at 3, 20 and 35 dpi the survival rates of mature T. muris were 1.7, 0.6 or even 0%. In another series of experiments, emodepside plus praziquantel were tested inWistar rats experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Following a treatment at day 15 p.i. with either 3.0 or 6.0mg emodepside per kg bw and either 12.0mg or 24.0mg praziquantel per kg bw, respectively, the survival rates of adult nematodes at 44 dpi were not significantly reduced in comparison to the untreated controls. Only when single treatment was done with the highest dose with 18 mg emodepside per kg bw and 72 mg praziquantel per kg bw was the survival rate of larvae migrating in the CNS reduced to 32.4%at 20 dpi. A complete depression of the survival rate of adult A. cantonensis was observed following single treatment with 12.0 or 18.0 mg emodepside per kg bw and 48.0 or 72.0 mg praziquantel per kg bw at 15 dpi when the control (killing and examination) was done at 44 dpi. The single standard dose of 3 mg emodepside per kg bw and 12 mg praziquantel per kg bw, either administered at 15 or at 44 dpi, reduced the survival rate of adult A. cantonensis to 54.2 or 67.6% at 44 or 52 dpi, respectively. The present paper shows for the first time the efficacy of a combination containing emodepside plus praziquantel against the nematodes T. muris and A. cantonensis.