Parasitic Cysts Research Articles

Gastrointestinal parasites of the New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley, New York.

The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013-2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather's sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined (n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) parasite species richness (1.73, range 0-4) than NEC (1.20, range 0-3). EC and NEC shared 3 moderate to high (9-89%) prevalence parasites, in which EC prevalence was consistently higher. One parasite specieswas only found in NEC, and two were only found in EC, but the majority of these were of low abundance, precluding further statistical analyses.

Disease Tolerance in Toxoplasma Infection.

Toxoplasma gondii is a successful protozoan parasite that cycles between definitive felid hosts and a broad range of intermediate hosts, including rodents and humans. Within intermediate hosts, this obligate intracellular parasite invades the small intestine, inducing an inflammatory response. Toxoplasma infects infiltrating immune cells, using them to spread systemically and reach tissues amenable to chronic infection. An intact immune system is necessary to control life-long chronic infection. Chronic infection is characterized by formation of parasite cysts, which are necessary for survival through the gastrointestinal tract of the next host. Thus, Toxoplasma must evade sterilizing immunity, but still rely on the host's immune response for survival and transmission. To do this, Toxoplasma exploits a central cost-benefit tradeoff in immunity: the need to escalate inflammation for pathogen clearance vs. the need to limit inflammation-induced bystander damage. What are the consequences of sustained inflammation on host biology? Many studies have focused on aspects of the immune response that directly target Toxoplasma growth and survival, commonly referred to as “resistance mechanisms.” However, it is becoming clear that a parallel arm of the immune response has evolved to mitigate damage caused by the parasite directly (for example, egress-induced cell death) or bystander damage due to the inflammatory response (for example, reactive nitrogen species, degranulation). These so-called “disease tolerance” mechanisms promote tissue function and host survival without directly targeting the pathogen. Here we review changes to host metabolism, tissue structure, and immune function that point to disease tolerance mechanisms during Toxoplasma infection. We explore the impact tolerance programs have on the health of the host and parasite biology.

Genotyping of human Echinococcus granulosus cyst in Morocco.

Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE), also commonly called hydatidosis. This is a zoonotic infection endemic worldwide, including the Mediterranean basin and Morocco. The genetic variability of Echinococcus granulosus is known to influence development of parasitic cysts in different intermediate hosts, and therefore the epidemiology of infection. Molecular studies have identified nine genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus, eight of them affect humans, grouped today in four distinct species. In Morocco, molecular studies on CE cysts from animals showed the presence, for the large majority of cases, of the G1 genotype (« sheep strain » or Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto), which is also the cause of the majority of human infections worldwide, and to a lesser extent of the other genotypes (G2 and G3) within Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex. However, so far no genotyping of echinococcal cysts in Morocco has been carried out. We collected CE cysts material from 15 patients diagnosed with abdominal CE in the Meknès-Tafilalt region, Middle Atlas of Morocco, and an endemic area and genotyped by multiplex PCR. The only five cysts from which it was possible to successfully amplify the DNA were all belonging to the G1-G3 genotype, in line with the epidemiology of CE in animals in the same area. Our results add new information, on the human side, to the epidemiological picture of CE in the region, which are important in the context of any control plan for the infection.

Echinococcosis at urology. Pelvic parasitic cyst. Case report

Introduction. Echinococcosis is a serious chronic parasitic disease. Early diagnostics and patients‘ treatment with echinococcal lesions is an up-to-date problem. Objective. The aim of the article is to present the clinical case of diagnostics and treatment of the patient with urological complications caused by parasitic echinococcal pelvic cyst. Clinical case. The article highlights the features of diagnostics and treatment of urological complications of pelvic echinococcal lesions. The patient was operated in volume: “Laparotomy. Resection of parasitic cyst of small pelvic cavity. Echinococcectomy of the liver, abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal space.” The peculiarities of operation was highlighted. The postoperative period lasted without complications. Conclusions. The demonstrated clinical case points out the necessity of the clinical examenation, early diagnostics and special helminth treatment of the patients living in the endemic regions. It allows to prevent the appearance of the echonococcosis advanced cases that lead to the reoperations and frequent patients‘ disability.

An Additional Asset for the FLOTAC Technique: Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Vegetables.

Gastrointestinal parasites are considered amongst the most important threats to veterinary and human health worldwide. The transmission of these parasitic diseases usually involves the accidental ingestion of oocysts, cysts, eggs, and larvae, whose detection is generally achieved by classical coproparasitological methods, based on sedimentation and/or flotation techniques. These procedures might be inefficient or display a low sensitivity when performed on food matrices. This study aimed to assess the value of the FLOTAC technique for the detection of different parasitic stages of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic animals in fresh lettuce. Samples (n = 100) were purchased from public markets located in the metropolitan region of Recife (Brazil). A total of 79% scored positive for eggs and/or cysts of gastrointestinal parasites. Protozoa and nematodes were detected in 32% (32/100) and 64% (64/100) of samples, respectively, with cysts of the genus Entamoeba (32%) and eggs of nematodes of the order Strongylida (30%) being the most frequently diagnosed. The findings herein reported demonstrate that the FLOTAC technique can be successfully applied for recovering food-borne parasites of medical and veterinary concern in food matrices.

Guanabenz Reverses a Key Behavioral Change Caused by Latent Toxoplasmosis in Mice by Reducing Neuroinflammation.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that has infected one-third of humans. The infection is permanent because the replicative form (tachyzoite) converts into a latent tissue cyst form (bradyzoite) that evades host immunity and is impervious to current drugs. The continued presence of these parasitic cysts hinders treatment and leads to chronic infection that has been linked to behavioral changes in rodents and neurological disease in humans. How these behavioral changes occur, and whether they are due to parasite manipulation or the host response to infection, remains an outstanding question. We previously showed that guanabenz possesses antiparasitic activity; here, we show that guanabenz reproducibly lowers brain cyst burden up to 80% in chronically infected male and female BALB/cJ mice when given intraperitoneally but not when administered by gavage or in food. Regardless of the administration route, guanabenz reverses Toxoplasma-induced hyperactivity in latently infected mice. In contrast, guanabenz increases cyst burden when given to chronically infected C57BL/6J mice yet still reverses Toxoplasma-induced hyperactivity. Examination of the brains from chronically infected BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J mice shows that guanabenz decreases inflammation and perivascular cuffing in each strain. Our study establishes a robust model for cyst reduction in BALB/cJ mice and shows for the first time that it is possible to reverse a key behavioral change associated with latent toxoplasmosis. The rescue from parasite-induced hyperactivity correlates with a decrease in neuroinflammation rather than reduced cyst counts, suggesting that some behavioral changes arise from host responses to infection.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii is a common parasite of animals, including up to one-third of humans. The single-celled parasite persists within hosts for the duration of their life as tissue cysts, giving rise to chronic infection. Latent toxoplasmosis is correlated with neurological dysfunction in humans and results in dramatic behavioral changes in rodents. When infected, mice and rats adapt behaviors that make them more likely to be devoured by cats, the only host that supports the sexual stage of the parasite. In this study, we establish a new mouse model of tissue cyst depletion using a drug called guanabenz and show that it is possible to reverse a key behavior change back to normal in infected animals. We also show that the mechanism appears to have nothing to do with parasite cyst burden but rather the degree of neuroinflammation produced by chronic infection.

Parasitic cyst of cheek! A rare but considerable differential diagnosis: An ultrasonography and color Doppler guided case report

The occurrence of parasitic cysts in head and neck region occurs by chance where it is commonly seen in people with varying dietary habits and life style but when it comes to oral cavity particularly buccal mucosa its preponderance is very rare and most of the times it gets confused with many of its similar group of lesions such as lipoma, mucocele, hemangioma, etc. It’s the specific investigations like ultrasonography, FNAC and biopsy which finally helps in making systematic diagnosis of these parasitic cysts. These article focuses on reporting one of such a kind of case report. Keywords: Asymptomatic swelling, Cheek region, Lipoma, Sialography, Ultrasonography, Color Doppler, Biopsy.

Cysticercosis by Taenia pisiformis in Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) inNorthern Italy: Epidemiologic and pathologic features.

In Northern Italy, a hastening of hare population decline was noticeable from 2008. In the same year hunters reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose morphology was consistent with T. pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; ii)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate the short-term trend of the infection comparing two different hunting seasons; v)to highlight possible relationship between T. pisiformis infection and hare-related variables.In 2013, 2015 the viscera of 54 and 61 hares legally hunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain were collected.Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species and then sequenced. Frozen liver, lungs and gastrointestinal peritoneum were macroscopically observed and, after thawing, representative samples from the available organs were collected for histologic examination to verify parasitic cysts and the subsequent damage of the involved organs. Sex, weight and age class of the animals were recorded. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analysis.T. pisiformis was isolated in 8 hares in 2013 (prevalence 14.8%; abundance range: 0–400; mean abundance 17.8) and in 2 hares in 2015 (prevalence 3.28%; abundance range: 0–180; mean abundance 3.22). Identification was confirmed morphologically and by PCR. The DNA sequencing confirmed T. pisiformis in all samples. The sequences were all identical each-other. Infection was significantly related with adult age class, sampling year and low full-weight.Epidemiological and pathological pattern suggest both a possible role on host population health and a tendency toward host-parasite equilibrium.

Prevalence of Endoparasites in Urban Stray Dogs from Brazil Diagnosed with Leishmania, with Potential for Human Zoonoses.

In tropical environments, abandoned animals can be an important source for human zoonotic infections, such as human visceral leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases. Here, we report the frequency of protozoan and helminth intestinal parasites in stray dogs, which might have an implication for human health in urban Brazilian settings. We performed necropsies on 93 animals, euthanized due to canine visceral leishmaniasis control program, and examined their intestines looking for the presence of helminths; we determined the parasite load, and the elimination of eggs and cysts of protozoan parasites in fecal samples. Further, we performed serology tests for the detection of specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. Overall, a high prevalence of intestinal parasites with potential for human zoonoses resulted and only 8.6% of examined intestinesremained negative. The most prevalent helminths were Ancylostoma caninum and Dipylidium caninum. For nematodes, high worm burdens were detected for A. caninum and Trichuris vulpis. Additionally, we analyzed worm burdens and quantitative stool examinations, but found no significant association between positive serology for Leishmania infection and intestinal parasite burden. Interestingly, serology for T. gondii infection revealed a prevalence of 33.3% and a positive result was significantly associated with a higher A. caninum adult worm recovery (p = 0.0087). Our results showed stray dogs living in urban areas are heavily parasitized, which presents a potential risk for humans. Beyond the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis, we propose an improvement of the controlprogram to reduce the risk for other parasiticdiseases in dogs and humans.

Parasitic Nematode and Protozoa Status of Working Sheepdogs on the North Island of New Zealand.

Simple SummaryWorking farm dogs may be at more risk of infection with gastrointestinal parasites than pet dogs, as they are fed raw meat and are in close contact with other dogs. This study determined the percentage of working farm dogs in New Zealand shedding intestinal parasite stages in their feces and explored what factors might increase or decrease the chance of parasites being in a dog’s feces. One person collected information about the dogs and their management using a questionnaire, body condition scored each dog, and collected a fecal sample to test for parasites. The study found that four out of ten dogs had one or more types of gastrointestinal parasites present in their feces, and this was more common in younger dogs. There was no association between the presence of parasites in feces and frequency that owners reported giving dogs anthelmintic drugs. The high percentage of dogs with parasite lifecycle stages present in their feces is of concern for the health of the dogs and also the owners as some parasites are zoonotic.Working farm dogs in New Zealand may have a high parasitic challenge because of access to raw meat and close contact with other dogs. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the percentage of dogs with gastrointestinal nematode and protozoan parasite lifecycle stages present in their feces and to identify factors associated with the presence of parasites. A single researcher collected information about the dogs and their management via a questionnaire, body condition scored (BCS) the dogs, and collected fecal samples to determine the parasite burden. Fecal samples were collected from 171 dogs and 40% (95% CI 33.0% to 47.7%) contained parasite ova or (oo)cysts. There was no association between BCS and the presence of nematodes and parasites (p = 0.74) in the feces. The percentage of dogs with parasites present in their feces was not associated with BCS or the frequency with which anthelmintic drugs were reportedly administered (p = 0.61). The high percentage of dogs with parasites are of concern for the health of the dogs and their owners, given the zoonotic potential of some parasites. Further, research should also focus on understanding why reporting giving anthelmintic drugs at least every three months did not eliminate the infection.

Protocol standardization for the detection of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Marine bivalve shellfish are of public health interest because they can accumulate pollutants in their tissues. As they are usually consumed raw or lightly cooked, they are considered to be a possible source of foodborne infections, including giardiosis and cryptosporidiosis. Although data indicating contamination of shellfish with Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts have been published, comparing results from different studies is difficult, as there is no standardized protocol for the detection and quantification of these parasites in mussels, and different researchers have used different analytical approaches. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the most sensitive protocol for the detection of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in shellfish. In an effort to test the sensitivity and the detection limits of the protocol, every step of the process was investigated, from initial preparation of the mussel matrix through detection of the parasites. Comparative studies were conducted, including several methods previously applied by other researchers, on commercial mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis spiked with a known number of (oo)cysts of both parasites. As preparation of the mussel matrix plays an important role in the sensitivity of the method, different techniques were tested. These included: (ia) removal of the coarse particles from the matrix with sieving, (ib) extraction of the lipids with diethyl ether, and (ic) artificial digestion of the matrix with pepsin digestion solution, and (ii) the use or not of immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for the concentration of the (oo)cysts. Pre-treatment of the mussel homogenate with pepsin digestion solution, followed by IMS, then detection with a direct immunofluorescence assay, achieved the highest sensitivity: 32.1% (SD: 21.1) of Giardia cysts and 61.4% (SD: 26.2) Cryptosporidium oocysts were recovered, with a detection limit of 10 (oo)cysts per g of mussel homogenate. The outcome of the current study was the standardization of a protocol, with defined detection limits, for the detection of these two protozoan transmission stages in mussels, in order to be used as a reference technique in future studies. Further advantages of this protocol are that it uses the whole mussel as a starting material and does not require difficult handling procedures. The method has potential to be applied in larger surveys and, potentially, to other species of shellfish for the detection of these parasites. However, the composition (lipid to protein ratio) may be of relevance for detection efficiency for some other species of shellfish.

Echinococcosis at urology. Pelvic parasitic cyst. Case report

Echinococcosis at urology. Pelvic parasitic cyst. Case report

Дезинвазия объектов внешней среды против цист паразитических простейших (Buxtonella sulcatа) крупного рогатого скота

Дезинвазия объектов внешней среды против цист паразитических простейших (Buxtonella sulcatа) крупного рогатого скота

Detection of Taenia solium DNA in the Urine of Neurocysticercosis Patients.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), caused by Taenia solium larvae that reside in the central nervous system, results in serious public health and medical issues in many regions of the world. Current diagnosis of NCC is complex requiring both serology and costly neuroimaging of parasitic cysts in the brain. This diagnostic pipeline can be problematic in resource-constrained settings. There is an unmet need for a highly sensitive and clinically informative diagnostic test to complement the present diagnostic approaches. Here, we report that T. solium-derived cell-free DNA is readily detectable in the urine of patients with the subarachnoid and parenchymal forms of NCC, and discuss the potential utility of this approach in enhancing and refining T. solium diagnostics.

Bacterial species and forms of resistance of intestinal parasites found in collectives of the city of Divinópolis - MG

Public transportation buses are places of intense movement of people, which may constitute important dispersal vehicles of microorganisms and parasites. In such context, this paper sought to assess the microbial and parasitological diversity inside urban and periurban buses that run four routes in Divinópolis MG. For the microbial study, 80 sample collections were made by using a sterile swab containing Stuart transport medium and were taken to the Microbiology Laboratory of the UEMG – Divinópolis MG, in order to perform the laboratorial tests. For search about eggs and cysts of intestinal parasites, 80 samples were collected, out of which 40 were collected by using the Graham method, and 40 were collected by using swab. Two smears of each sample were analyzed. In the microbial research, 1097 CFU mL-1 of heterotrophic bacteria were analyzed. Through mass spectrometry eleven potentially pathogenic species of bacteria were identified out of which seven were identified as antibiotics-resistant. In the parasitological analysis through the Graham method a probable cyst of Blastocystis hominis and an egg similar to those of Hymenolepis sp. were identified. Through the use of swab four eggs similar to those of Ascaris sp. and a probable cyst of B.hominis were also identified. The bacterial and parasitological prevalence was higher on buses that run in hospital and periurban areas. Based on results obtained it was possible to outline a profile until then unknown of the bacteria and parasites present in some of the main public transportation routes of Divinópolis MG.

A study on clinical profile of parasitic hepatic cyst compare with other hepatic cyst in Bangladesh

A study on clinical profile of parasitic hepatic cyst compare with other hepatic cyst in Bangladesh

Cystic Echinococcosis of the Bone: A European Multicenter Study.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. In humans, the infection induces the formation of parasitic cysts mostly in the liver and lungs, but virtually any organ can be affected. CE of the bone is one of the rarest forms of the disease, yet it is also extremely debilitating for patients and hard to manage for clinicians. Unlike abdominal CE, there is currently no expert consensus on the management of bone CE. In this study, we conducted a survey of the clinical records of seven European referral centers for the management of patients with CE and retrieved data on the clinical management of 32 patients with a diagnosis of bone CE. Our survey confirmed that the patients endured chronic debilitating disease with a high rate of complications (84%). We also found that diagnostic approaches were highly heterogeneous. Surgery was extensively used to treat these patients, as well as albendazole, occasionally combined with praziquantel or nitaxozanide. Treatment was curative only for two patients, with one requiring amputation of the involved bone. Our survey highlights the need to conduct systematic studies on bone CE, both retrospectively and prospectively.

Analysis of Early and Distant Results of Various Options for Eliminating the Residual Liver Cavity Following Echinococcectomy

Introduction. The available literature on the surgery of echinococcosis is mainly presented by retrospective studies, and the results of these studies are often contradictory, especially when it comes to options for the elimination of the residual cavity after removal of the parasitic liver cyst. In this regard, the main purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of various ways to eliminate the residual liver cavity after echinococcectomy.Materials and methods. The Republican clinical hospital was the host (city of Ufa, Russia) to conduct a prospective analysis of 234 cases of laparotomic surgical removal of echinococcal cysts in the period from 2000 to 2017. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the surgical tactics to solve the problem of residual liver cavity: the first group (n = 84) patients underwent capitonnage and intussusception of the fibrous capsule of the residual cavity; in the second (n = 79) group the greater omental pedicle flap was tamponaded; in the third (n = 71) group underwent the maximum possible excision of the fibrous capsule and the remaining empty space in the liver was opened into the abdominal cavity.Results and discussion: The suppuration of the residual cavity, being the most frequent complication encountered in our study, with almost the same frequency was noted in both groups of patients, where the elimination of the residual cavity was carried out by capitonnage or greater omentum tamponading. According to multifactorial analysis, infectious complications and recurrence of echinococcus were statistically lower in group III than in other groups (p = 0.002 and 0.001; p = 0.004 and p = 0.002).Conclusion. The findings showed that the safest option for “frugal” echinococcectomy was the maximum possible excision of the fibrous cap with subsequent aplatisation. This approach was characterised by the least number of infectious complications and did not require repeated interventions.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Children Living in Various Living Conditions in Slovakia

The purpose of the present study was to identify the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the children (aged ≤ 18 years) living in various living conditions in the Eastern Slovakia. Their faecal samples were examined applying the flotation concentration technique to verify the presence of helminth eggs and cysts of protozoan parasites. The evidence of Enterobius vermicularis pinworm was obtained using the perianal tape test. The diagnostics of the Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts was carried out applying the Kinyoun staining technique. The examined faecal samples were collected from 565 children living in Medzev (340 Roma children from the segregated Roma settlement; 123 children from the majority population; 33 children from the orphanage; 35 children from the elementary school; and 34 children from the kindergarten). They were divided into 5 age subgroups. In children from the segregated Roma settlement, the eggs of six helminth species: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostomatidae family, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia spp., Enterobius vermicularis and two protozoan species: Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. The highest number of positive samples was observed in the group of children aged 6-9 years. In the majority group of children, the eggs of A. lumbricoides, Taenia spp., E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis were detected. The species detected in children from the orphanage included A. lumbricoides, H. nana, E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis. Children attending the 3rd year of the elementary school and the kindergarten presented with the eggs of A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis. The examination of soil was performed applying the Kazacos’ technique and the samples were collected from the area surrounding the houses and drinking water sources in the segregated settlement. It revealed high occurrence of parasites in infective stages. The results presented herein indicate that the environmental factors contribute to the circulation of parasites among children and affect their health.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive non-human primates of zoological gardens in North-Eastern region of India

ABSTRACT The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility of ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dynamics and associated risks in biological conservation. The present study was undertaken from the North Eastern part of India from July 2017 to June 2018 to identify different gastrointestinal parasites based on faecal sample examination in various captive non-human primates (NHPs). Fresh stool sample (10–15 g) was collected and examined by both sedimentation and floatation techniques to identify parasitic ova and cysts. Out of 145 NHPs examined, 32 (22.06%) were found positive for any of the gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites based on morphological characteristics of either ova or cyst. It can be inferred from the study that captive NHPs are much more susceptible to GI parasite infection. Proper management is necessary to maintain this part of the ecosystem.