Parasitic Infestation Research Articles

An Emerging, Neglected and Underestimated Zoonotic Parasitic Ocular Infestation: A Comprehensive Review on Thelaziasis

Human thelaziasis is an emerging insect-borne zoonotic ocular parasitic infestation, occur more commonly in rural communities with poor living and low socioeconomic living, and mainly affects the children and old age people, where humans live in close proximity with animals. Human thelaziasis is caused by both Thelazia callipaeda and Thelazia californiensis. T. callipaeda lives under the eye lids, nictitating membranes, orbit, conjunctival sac, lachrymal glands, and lacrimal ducts of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, cattle, deer, badgers, monkeys, wolves, foxes (definitive hosts) and man being an accidental host. The vectors (intermediate hosts) are non-biting, tear-seeking, diptera flies of family Drosophilidae (fruit flies) Phortica variegata, which feeds on tears of their definitive hosts, including humans. Clinical manifestations include conjunctivitis, lacrimation, itching or pain with foreign body sensation, epiphora, follicular hypertrophy, and less often with severe signs and symptoms such as keratitis, photophobia, ectropion, corneal opacities (due to the migration of worm across the cornea), floaters within the eye chamber leading to visual impairment/blindness. The knowledge and scientific information on human thelaziasis is still unknown or relatively limited to many ophthalmologists and clinicians, and received little attention; hence this comprehensive and systematic review of human thelaziasis, is undertaken to highlight its importance and further research.

Intestinal Parasitosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Infected Patients from Dharan, Nepal

Intestinal parasitic infestation reflects a health threat with patients living with HIV & Tu-berculosis (TB). Parasitic infections caused by protozoa and helminths are the most com-mon infections worldwide. The present study was done to find out the frequency of intes-tinal parasitosis among HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) patients of Dharan total of 53 samples (>15 years) from HIV seropositive patients and 28 samples (>20years) from TB patients were collected in a clean, dry and capped fitted container and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic examination for ova, cyst, adult parasites and or segments of parasites. Stool samples were fixed in a 10% formalin-ether solution. Sedimentation technique, with modified acid-fast (Ziehl-Neelsen) staining method, was performed for opportunistic in-testinal parasites in both patients. Multi-parasitic infection was noted in the study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was found to be 54 (66.67%). This result had shown that the participation of male patients was comparatively higher than female pa-tients. Out of 81 stool samples, 15 (27.78%) G. lamblia, 12(22.22%) E. histolytica, 12 (22.22%) Cryptosporidium parvum, 6 (11.11%), Isospora belli 4 (7.40%) Microspridium, 1(1.85%) Blastocystis hominis, 2(3.70%) and Taenia spp, 2(3.70%). To prevent this infec-tion appropriate health education should be given to the patients concerning disease trans-mission, antiparasitic therapy, personal hygiene, and safe drinking water.

Bacteriome Diversity of Blackflies' Gut and Association with Onchocerca volvulus, the Causative Agent of Onchocerciasis in Mbam Valley (Center Region, Cameroon).

Vector control using larvicides is the main alternative strategy to address limits of preventive chemotherapy using ivermectin for the control of onchocerciasis. However, it remains substantially limited by implementation difficulties, ecological concerns and the resistance of vector populations. Therefore, efficient and environmentally safe alternative control strategies are still needed. This study explores the composition of the blackfly bacteriome and its variability in the presence of Onchocerca volvulus infection, in order to determine their potential as a novel vector control-based approach to fight onchocerciasis. An entomological survey of a collection of samples was performed in the Bafia health district, a historical endemic focus for onchocerciasis in Cameroon. A total of 1270 blackflies were dissected and the infection rate was 10.1%, indicative of ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis in the surveyed communities. Sequencing process of blackflies’ gut DNA for bacteria screening revealed 14 phyla and 123 genera, highlighting the diversity of gut blackflies bacterial communities. Eight bacteria formed the core of blackfly bacteriome and Wolbachia was the predominant genus with 73.4% of relative abundance of blackflies’ gut bacterial communities. Acidomonas and Roseanomas genera were significantly abundant among infected blackflies (p = 0.01), whereas other genera such as Brevibacterium and Fructobacillus were associated with the absence of infection (p = 0.0009). Differences in gut bacterial distribution of blackflies according to their infection status by the parasite suggest a causal relationship between the bacteriome composition and the onset of blackflies’ infection by O. volvulus or vice versa. Blackfly native bacteria are then potentially involved in infection by O. volvulus, either by facilitating or preventing the parasite infestation of the vector. These bacteria represent an interesting potential as a biological tool/target for a novel approach of vector control to fight onchocerciasis.

NEGATIVE APPENDECTOMIES ARE MORE COMMON IN FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP

Objective: To compare the negative appendectomy in the females of reproductive and non-reproductive age groups.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from January 2018 to December 2019.
 Methodology: A total of 1126 appendectomy specimens were enrolled irrespective of age and gender. The biodata of patients was retrieved from the database. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.
 Results: Out of total 1126 reported cases, 787 (69.9%) were males and 339 (30.1%) were females. The mean age was calculated to be 24.43 ± 12.42 years ranging from 2-94 years. Histopathological examination revealed cases of acute appendicitis 374 (33.2%), acute appendicitis with peri-appendicitis 478 (42.5%), fibrous obliteration 28 (2.5%) and parasitic infestation 7 (0.6%). Overall negative appendectomies were 219 (19.4%) and were prominent in females 100 (29.5%) than males 119 (15.1%). Also it was higher in females of reproductive age group 77 (30.4%) than in non-reproductive age group 23 (27.9%).
 Conclusion: In our study negative appendectomy in females of reproductive age groups was found to be higher than expected. Clinical scoring systems, biochemical markers, imaging modalities, and second opinion from other specialties like internal medicine, gynae and obstetric have been introduced to substantiate the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and thereby decreases the negative appendectomy.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in cattle and goat at Boalia upazilla in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in cattle and goat at Metro Livestock Office, Boalia in Rajshahi District for 22 weeks from 1st December, 2020 to 30th April, 2021. A total number of 240 animals were included in the study. The overall prevalence of helminthes infestation was recorded 70 % (168) under semi-intensive system. The trematodal infestations (Fasciola & Paramphistomum) were found in cattle 37.64% and 20% and in goat 21.29%, 18.06% respectively. The nematodal infestations (Ascaris and Trichuris) were found of 12.94% & 3.52% in cattle and 25.16% & 3.22% in goat respectively. The highest prevalence was recorded in goat 43.75% than cattle 26.25%. In case of cattle the highest prevalence rate was recorded in female 65.07% than the male 34.92% and in goat 55.23% and 44.76%. In breed wise susceptibilty of helminth parasite, cross bred 60.31% were comparatively have higher prevalence than local bred cattle 39.68% and in case of goat Black Bengal goat 45.71% was less susceptible to Gastrointestinal parasitic infestation than Jamunapari goat 54.28%. The study suggests that importance should be given to proper management, improved hygiene and regular deworming to prevent the parasitic infestation in cattle. Therefore, the results of this study will help to the veterinary practitioner’s and researchers for management of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in this area. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (4), 367-374

Therapeutic Efficacy Assessment of Dectomax® (Doramectin) in Sheep and Cattle From Timis County, Romania

Introduction: Gastrointestinal parasitic infestations are one of the major health concerns worldwide; hence, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a doramectin-based anti-parasitic drug. Methods: To achieve this goal, we collected fresh faecal samples (50-100 g) from 20 sheep and 20 cattle, which were subsequently examined through coproparasitic methods. Results: Pre-therapeutic coproscopic screening of samples from sheep and cattle led to the identification of digestive strongyles, Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli, Cestodes, and Toxocara spp. The prevalence rates for sheep were 100%, 35%, 35%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, and 80%, 30%, 30%, 10%, and 10% for cattle. Conclusion: The study led to the identification of parasites belonging to three different species: Sporozoa, Nematoda, and Cestoda. None of the investigated helminths proved resistant to Dectomax®, meaning that the average efficacy rate of Dectomax® in sheep and cattle naturally infected with digestive strongyles, Eimeria spp. or Toxocara spp. was 94% and 95%, respectively.

Cysticercosis of Cheek - A Rare Site

Cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium is a helminthic infection. It usually resides in animals and humans to complete its life cycle and cause the disease within it. Cysticercosis in humans is acquired by ingestion of eggs or its larvae form. It is caused due to improper sanitation, fecal ingestion by the pigs which is infected with larvae of cysticercus, improper vaccination of pigs and ingestion of raw or uncooked pork and meat by the humans. Most commonly it involves the brain, heart, liver, muscles, lungs and the peritoneal cavity. When there is involvement of the mouth, frequently occurring sites include the tongue, buccal mucosa and rarely floor of mouth. Likewise, most commonly, the skeletal muscle involvement is noted.
 It is usually diagnosed by radiological and pathological investigations. Radiologically, USG and MRI characteristically reveals the lesion caused by cysticercosis. Pathologically, the biopsy done of the affected area shows the inhabited cysticercus along with its causative changes in the tissue like edema, congestion and infiltration of Inflammatory infiltrates. Being a parasitic infestation, eosinophilic infiltration around the membrane of cysticercus is commonly noted in the biopsy. This is the presentation of the case report, where there is an occurrence of Cysticercosis in the muscles of cheek, a site with rare occurrence.

Immune mechanisms in human Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) infestations.

Scabies is a parasitic infestation of human and animal skin caused by different strains of the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared scabies in human as a neglected tropical disease, and today over 200million people worldwide are affected. The two most commonly reported clinical manifestation of the condition are ordinary (OS) and crusted scabies (CS). CS, which can lead to fatal consequences due to secondary bacterial infections, is mostly observed in immunocompromised subjects but can also, although rarely, be detected in immunocompetent individuals. Innate and adaptive immune system components are involved in protection and pathogenesis of scabies, although with some differences between OS and CS. While the cutaneous immune response is dominated by CD4+ T-cells in OS, it is mainly mediated by CD8+ T-cells in CS. The two clinical conditions also differ in CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune responses with mixed TH 1/TH 2 (protective) and TH 2/TH 17 (non-protective) immunoprofiles in OS and CS, respectively. Moreover, the development of CS is associated with early immunosuppression that is followed by deleterious immune response to uncontrolled mite proliferation. However, the immune response to scabies still needs further attention due to inconsistent results in the literature. The aim of this study is to attract more attention to this area by summarizing the current literature on innate and adaptive immune responses triggered against S. scabiei mites.

A review on some factors affecting wool quality parameters of sheep

Wool is a natural fibre with a unique amalgamation of properties that are exploited in garment industry. The wool industry, in particular the production of fine wool, has a notable role in world trade and the price of the wool is dependent on quality. Accordingly, wool characteristics have direct impact on wool prices set by processors and industry. These properties can particularly benefit the wearer of the garment during exercise. There are different factors affecting wool quality parameters both with direct and indirect involvement. The environmental and genetics are the main factors affecting quality and quantity of wool from sheep. Infections related to skin and parasitic infestations have direct influence on the quality of wool. Breed or genotype is one of the main genetic factors that influences the product and productivity as well as quality of wool from sheep that is fleece from different sheep breeds is different in its both physical and chemical characteristics. Hormonal changes in relation to sex of sheep also have effect on the wool quality traits. The main objective of this review was to define and explore key wool characteristics, such as staple length, number of crimp, fibre type, fibre diameter, wool wax and scouring yield in regards to quality and interventions approaches for improving. In most of studies, non-genetic factors such as age, season, shearing period, shearing frequency and nutrition have a significant effect on traits viz. staple length, wool wax, scouring yield, fibre diameter and for other traits as well. Conducting a research on wool quality characteristics is an operative way of defining and differentiating the quality of wool. Acquiring knowledge of the wool quality characteristics can help to manage the end use products, consumers comfort and processing intensity. Therefore, an understanding of the factors affecting physical and chemical properties of wool traits is important to improve the quality of wool through genetics and management interventions. This article reviews some important quality attributes of wool for the product and productivity development and value addition.

Protective Immunization of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) against Salmon Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) Infestation.

Vaccination against salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a means of control that averts the negative effects of chemical approaches. Here, we studied the immunogenicity and protective effect of a vaccine formulation (based on a salmon lice-gut recombinant protein [P33]) against Lepeophtheirus salmonis infestation in Atlantic salmon in a laboratory-based trial. Our findings revealed that P33 vaccine can provide a measure of protection against immature and adult salmon lice infestation. This protection seemed to be vaccine dose-dependent, where higher doses resulted in lower parasitic infestation rates. We also provide immunological evidence confirming that P33-specific immune response can be triggered in Atlantic salmon after P33 vaccination, and that production of P33-specific antibodies in blood can be detected in vaccinated fish. The negative correlation between P33-specific IgM in salmon plasma and salmon lice numbers on vaccinated fish suggests that protection against lice can be mediated by the specific antibody in salmon plasma. The success of P33 vaccination in protecting salmon against lice confirms the possibility of employing the hematophagous nature of the parasite to deliver salmon-specific antibodies against lice-gut proteins.

New chemistries for the control of human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis: A mini-review

Pediculus lice represent one of the longest and most prevalent parasitic infestations of humans. Head lice are an economic and social concern whereas body lice pose a more serious public health threat. Significant progress has been made in the study of human lice over the last 10 years, allowing for new approaches in their control. An in vitro rearing system has made it possible to maintain insecticide-susceptible and -resistant reference strains, which allowed an in depth study of pediculicide resistance, including its underlying molecular mechanisms and the detection and monitoring of resistance. The generation of inbreed strains facilitated the efficient sequencing, assembly and annotation of the genomes and transcriptomes of both lice. The use of functional genomics and reverse genetics elucidated the genetics involved in the evolution of resistance and the discovery of novel target sites for the development of new pediculicides. In this review, four new effective pediculicide products, each with different mode of action and unique chemistries, will be presented. They have been found to be safe and selective, and control resistant lice. As such, they meet the criteria necessary to be used in rotations as a sustainable resistance management strategy.

Component Endoparasite Communities Mirror Life-History Specialization in Syntopic Reed Frogs (Hyperolius spp.)

Most of our knowledge on the processes structuring parasite communities in amphibians originate from temperate-zone taxa, whereas Afrotropical communities have been neglected so far. We found evidence that ecological fitting of the hosts and, probably, differential immune response may influence the variation in parasite species richness, prevalence, and infestation intensity of East African frogs Hyperolius kivuensis and H. viridiflavus. The most closely related host species share the same macrohabitat (that implies the same pool of potential parasites), but differ in microhabitat preference, so that a comparative analyses of syntopic and allopatric populations is expedient to reveal ecological fitting. We detected 11 parasite species (one annelid, four nematodes, five trematodes, one cestode) and two endocommensal species (protozoans). The component parasite communities included 4–5 helminth species in H. kivuensis and 6–8 in the more aquatic H. viridiflavus, supporting the hypothesis that trematode diversity increases with the amount of time spent in water. Five parasite species (Orneoascaris chrysanthemoides, Clinostomum chabaudi, an undetermined echinostomatid) and two protozoans (Nyctotheroides sp., and Protoopalina sp.) are shared among the syntopic amphibian populations. This finding indicates a similar susceptibility of these amphibians to infestation from the local parasite pool. Yet, the low prevalence of single- and multi-species infestations in H. kivuensis indicates that parasite clearing by its immune response is probably more effective and prominent than in H. viridiflavus. Therefore, H. viridiflavus suffered from significantly reduced short-term survival due to the infection. Thus, we conclude that the processes structuring component parasite communities in amphibians do not differ generally between temperate-zone and Afrotropical host species, but they do in the magnitude of ecological fitting.

Intraspecific diversity alters the relationship between climate change and parasitism in a polymorphic ectotherm.

Climate-modulated parasitism is driven by a range of factors, yet the spatial and temporal variability of this relationship has received scant attention in wild vertebrate hosts. Moreover, most prior studies overlooked the intraspecific differences across host morphotypes, which impedes a full understanding of the climate-parasitism relationship. In the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), females exhibit three colour morphs: yellow (Y-females), orange (O-females) and mixed (mixture of yellow and orange, M-females). Zootoca vivipara is also infested with an ectoparasite (Ophionyssus mites). We therefore used this model system to examine the intraspecific response of hosts to parasitism under climate change. We found infestation probability to differ across colour morphs at both spatial (10sites) and temporal (20years) scales: M-females had lower parasite infestations than Y- and O-females at lower temperatures, but became more susceptible to parasites as temperature increased. The advantage of M-females at low temperatures was counterbalanced by their higher mortality rates thereafter, which suggests a morph-dependent trade-off between resistance to parasites and host survival. Furthermore, significant interactions between colour morphs and temperature indicate that the relationship between parasite infestations and climate warming was contingent on host morphotypes. Parasite infestations increased with temperature for most morphs, but displayed morph-specific rates. Finally, infested M-females had higher reductions in survival rates than infested Y- or O-females, which implies a potential loss of intraspecific diversity within populations as parasitism and temperatures rise. Overall, we found parasitism increases with warming temperatures, but this relationship is modulated by host morphotypes and an interaction with temperature. We suggest that epidemiological models incorporate intraspecific diversity within species for better understanding the dynamics of wildlife diseases under climate warming.

Approach to Diagnostic Cytopathology of Serous Effusions.

Collection of most serous fluids from various effusions is a relatively simple procedure. Because of this, serous fluids are commonly submitted for pathologic examination including cytopathologic evaluation by various clinical institutions. As a consequence, even a general pathology laboratory which may not have expertise with highly trained cytopathologist would be confronted with serous fluids for cytologic evaluation.However, cytopathologic evaluation of serous fluids is complex as compared to evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology. This signifies the fact that all pathologists, irrespective of subspeciality cytopathology training and level of subspeciality expertise, should be conversant with the diagnostic challenges and pitfalls of effusion fluid cytology.Although, majority of effusions are due to reactive and non-neoplastic etiologies, cancer is one of the causes of an effusion as a manifestation of advanced cancer. Detecting neoplastic cells in effusion specimens in most of clinical settings is related to the advanced status of the disease, which usually is equivalent to incurable stage. Thus, interpretation of cytopathology as positive for cancer cell is highly critical in planning the trajectory of the clinical management with an obvious negative impact of false positive interpretation.Apart from cancer, effusions may be secondary to hemodynamic pathologies such as heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, cirrhosis etc. in addition to the different inflammatory conditions including parasitic infestations, bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, and other non-neoplastic etiologies including collagen diseases. Due to the cytomorphologic overlap of reactive mesothelial cells with malignant cells, general cytologic criteria for diagnosis of malignancy in single cells cannot be applied in most of the effusion specimens. This challenge is further amplified because of surface tension related phenomenon which ‘round up’ the cells after exfoliation in serous fluids. As a result, the native shapes of cancer cells cannot be a guiding feature. Thus the cytomorphologic features of cancer cells in serous fluids may not be same as seen in routine cytopathology of exfoliative, brushing, and fine-needle aspiration specimens.The cancer cells may continue to proliferate after exfoliation in the nutrient rich effusion fluids and may form proliferation spheres. It is crucial to consider these factors when interpreting effusion cytology. Amongst malignant effusions, adenocarcinomas are the most common cause of metastatic cancers, but almost any type of malignancy including melanomas, hematopoietic neoplasms, sarcomas, and mesotheliomas may involve serous cavities. The interpreter must be aware of the wide range of the cytomorphologic appearances of reactive mesothelial cells in effusion fluids. It is essential to understand these and other nuances related to effusion fluid cytology. Understanding potential pitfalls during various stages from processing to application of ancillary studies would increase the diagnostic accuracy and minimize atypical interpretations and false positivity.

Особливості перебігу токсоплазмозу та токсокарозу, їх профілактика в умовах пандемії сovid-19

The article is devoted (dedicated) to topical problems of socially significant parasitosis, peculiarities of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, measures of prevention of these parasitic invasions. Ways of infection, clinical features of chronic toxoplasmosis in the acute stage, and toxocariasis are described. An overview of modern methods of diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis is presented, the necessity of line-blot analysis in our country is described, first of all, to clarify the stage of the disease in congenital toxoplasmosis, as well as for differential diagnosis of stages of this disease. treatment of patients with toxoplasmosis invasion. Indications for examination of patients with toxoplasmosis are presented. The main measures for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for newborns, are outlined. Preventive measures to prevent toxocariasis infection are described, which is a necessary basis for improving the system of epidemiological surveillance for the spread of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in all regions of our country. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen control by government agencies to prevent parasitological pollution, the urgency of establishing a National Program for surveillance of parasitic infestations in the near future to control their spread and prevent serious consequences for the health of infected, the need and feasibility of specialized treatment centers. and rehabilitation of patients with parasitic infestations, primarily toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis. The necessity of dispensary observation for persons from risk groups for severe toxoplasmosis – pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, persons with immunodeficiency of different genesis, the main solutions for the prevention of these parasites.

Indirect costs associated with skin infectious disease in children: a systematic review

BackgroundThere are limited data in the literature on the indirect costs associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the pediatric population. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the indirect costs associated with SSTIs in children.MethodsThe search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science up to January 2020. Thirteen search strategies were designed combining MeSH terms and free terms. SSTIs were defined as bacterial or viral infections, dermatomycoses, and parasitic infestations. Only primary studies were included. All analyzed costs were converted to 2020 Euros.ResultsThirteen of the identified publications presented indirect costs of SSTIs in children and were conducted in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, and the USA. Nine studies described indirect costs associated with infection of Varicella-zoster virus: lost workdays by outpatient caregivers ranged from 0.27 to 7.8, and up to 6.14 if caring for inpatients; total productivity losses ranged from €1.16 to €257.46 per patient. Three studies reported indirect costs associated with acute bacterial SSTIs (community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in children: total productivity losses ranged from €1,814.39 to €8,224.06 per patient, based on impetigo, cellulitis, and folliculitis. One study of parasitic infestations (Pediculus humanus capitis) reported total indirect costs per patient of €68.57 (formal care) plus €21.41 due to time lost by parents in purchasing treatment.ConclusionsThe economic burden of SSTIs is highly relevant but underestimated due to the lack of studies reporting indirect costs. Further cost studies will allow a better understanding of the magnitude of the financial burden of the disease.

Incidence, aetiology and clinical features of eosinophilic pleural effusion: a retrospective study

BackgroundEosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE) is a distinct entity among pleural effusions, but its diagnostic and prognostic significance is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and aetiological distribution of EPE in our institution and to assess the relationship between EPE and malignancy and other underlying diseases and the relevance of the percentage of eosinophils and other laboratory parameters.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 252 patients with PE from September 2017 to January 2021.ResultsEPE was found in 34 (13.49%) out of 252 patients. There were 20 (58.82%) males and 14 (41.18%) females in the EPE group. The mean percentage of eosinophils in EPE (21.7%, range (10.0–67.5%)) was significantly higher than the percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood (5.65%, range (0–34.60%); p < 0.05). The most common cause of EPE was malignant disease (52.94%), followed by idiopathy (14.71%), parasites (8.82%), pneumonia (8.82%) and others (14.71%). Comparative analysis of patients with malignant versus nonmalignant EPE showed that patients with malignant EPE were significantly older, and had a lower white blood cell (WBC) count in the pleural fluid (1.8 vs 4.7 cells × 109/L, p < 0.05). However, the percentage of eosinophils in PE was not significantly different between malignant EPE and nonmalignant EPE (p = 0.66). There was no correlation between the percentage of eosinophils in PE and peripheral blood (r = 0.29; p = 0.09).ConclusionsMalignant disease ranks as the leading cause of EPE. The presence of EPE should not be considered as a predictive factor of benign conditions. Pleural parasitic infestation (PPI) should be emphasized in areas with a high incidence of parasitic disease.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infestations with Hematobiochemical Disorders in Dromedary Camel

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infestations with Hematobiochemical Disorders in Dromedary Camel

A systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence and epidemiological risk factors of zoonotic Fascioliasis infection among the ruminants in Bangladesh

The parasitic Fascioliasis is a zoonotic and economically significant disease for livestock and humans, creating public health concerns around the world, including in Bangladesh. Populations of Bangladesh are more vulnerable to this parasitic infestation for their intimate interactions. To tackles the adverse effects on humans from food animals, it is exigency to know the exact prevalence and associated risk factors of zoonotic Fascioliasis among ruminants. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the authentic knowledge of potential risk factors and prevalence among livestock populations. Four globally recognized databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, along with local databases, were used to search the related studies since 2000. A total of 38 studies were selected for the meta-analysis, and the pooled prevalence of Fascioliasis was found at 20% (95 % CI: 15–25). A subgroup analysis was also performed for: species, age, sex, study duration, and sample size. The prevalence rate was found highest in cattle and sheep at 21% (95 % CI: 15–27), female individuals at 26% (95 % CI: 16–35), aged animals at 26% (95 % CI: 15–36), and rainy season at 25% (95 % CI: 16–34). This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis in Bangladesh that offers a comprehensive picture of the prevalence of Fascioliasis in ruminants and possible risk factors. Thus, this study will assist the government, policymakers, and veterinarians in implementing effective control measures by providing more detailed information about outbreak patterns.

Expression of immune-related genes in parasite-infected Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus) from Egypt and molecular characterization of the parasites

Aquaculture is one of the world's most rapidly developing animal production sectors. Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most popular fish known for quality and price. In the present study sixty fish samples of Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus) of about 16-22cm length were collected from Tilapia breeding farms and twenty Nile tilapia fish samples were collected for tissue sampling rom each farm. Fish samples were thoroughly investigated for external parasites by visual inspection microscopically through fixed wet smears from the gills and skin. The DNA was extracted from the fish and 17 different parasite species were amplified for partial 18S rDNA and entire ITS1 regions using three sets of commonly recommended primers. The amplicons were confirmed through sequencing. The results exhibited that Trichodina sp. and Gyrodactylus hildae in gills, Cichlidogyrus aegypticus on skin while Acanthosentis sp. was found in the intestine of infected tilapia within Fuwa City, Kafr El sheikh Governorate. The parasites found in Mataria City, Dakahlia Governorate were Cichidogyrus halli on the gills, Zschokkella candia on muscles, and Clinostomum tilapiae in the intestine. The parasites Dactylogyrus sp. and Myxobolus fomenai were recovered from the skin and muscles, respectively, of infected Tilapia from King Mariout, Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria Governorate. Moreover, the expression level of IL-1β gene was up-regulated in muscle, skin, gills and intestine tissues of fish infected with parasites such as Z. candia, C. halli, C. tilapiae, Dactylogyrus sp., M. fomenai, C. aegypticus, Trichodina sp., G. hildae, and Acanthocentis. The similar up-regulation tissues expression trends of TNF-α and IFN-γ genes were found in fish infested with these parasites. The present study exlored molecular characterization of different parasites isolated in different locations of Egypt in Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus) and up-regulation of the inflammatory response genes such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ is an indicator of the sever inflammation due to these parasitic infestation in fish.