Prevalence Of Parasites Research Articles

Microparasite screening across four species of decapod crustaceans (Decapoda: Brachyura, Astacidea) in Ireland

ABSTRACT Decapod crustaceans and their associated fisheries are an important resource globally, and demand for seafood continues to grow alongside a growing human population. With a combined 2023 value of €36 million in Ireland, three species of brachyuran crabs, the velvet crab (Necora puberLinnaeus, 1767), edible crab (Cancer pagurusLinnaeus, 1758), spider crab (Maja squinado Herbst, 1788)), and the European lobster (Homarus gammarusLinnaeus, 1758) are decapods of commercial importance. These species are also important components of their respective ecosystems. Parasite infection can affect the health of crustaceans and may affect population productivity. Microparasites, including paramyxids (Hematodinium spp.) and microsporidians can infect decapod crustaceans and have a range of effects on their hosts. We assessed three microparasites in four crustacean species. Paramarteilia canceri was found in all three crab species, and we provide the first genetic confirmation in spider crabs. A microsporidian associated with cotton crab disease, Ameson sp., was identified in N. puber, along with a second species of microsporidian which will require further classification. None of the three parasite groups were identified in Homarus gammarus. Species of Hematodinium were not identified in any of the species studies. Our work highlights the need for parasite surveys to uncover parasite diversity and prevalence in crustaceans to help elucidate host-parasite interactions, and the potential impacts of parasites.

Toxoplasmosis, Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Parasitic in Domestic Cats in Al-Marj City - Libya

During this study, 54 fecal samples were examined from domestic cats in the city of Al-Marj during the period between May to July (2022). These fecal samples included all age groups, as they were divided into two groups, the first age group (one month -11 months) the second age group (12 months - 8 years), and it included the two breeds (Arabic and Persian). Where the cat fecal samples were applied to Flotation Technician, and it was analyzed in the laboratory of the Higher Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences - Al-Marj. This study showed the total prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii parasite among domestic cats, which was (11%), of different ages and breeds of the cats, where the number of samples infected with this parasite is 6 samples from the total number of samples which is 54 samples. The prevalence of the Toxoplasma gondii in female higher than male was (11%, 10%). During the age groups the prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma parasite in the first age group (1 -11 months) was (6.90%) and the second age group (12 months - 8 years) was (16%). The prevalence of the parasite in the Arab strain was higher than that of the Persian strain (16.66% - 9.75%) respectively.

The epidemiology of intestinal protozoa in the Israeli population based on molecular stool test: a nationwide study.

This study sheds light on the prevalence of stool parasites in Israel. Additionally, this study indicates that the shift from microscope analysis to molecular tests improved protozoa diagnosis.

Parasitic Contamination of Well Water Consumed in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Contamination of water sources by infectious pathogens has been recognized as a global threat to public health especially in underdeveloped countries. This study was carried out to survey the parasitic load (eggs and cysts) of protozoan parasites found in well water sources in four different locations in Awka South Local Government area of Anambra state (Ifite-Awka, Amansea, Amaenyi and Temp site). A total of forty (40) well water samples were collected across the four locations and examined in the laboratory using centrifugation and sedimentation methods. Data obtained was analyzed using simple percentages and chi-square was used to test for differences in the parasites abundance in the different locations. A total abundance of 141 parasitic stages of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum were found in the well water samples across the study locations. Among the study locations, Amansea recorded the highest prevalence of protozoa parasites 51(36.17%) while Amaenyi area revealed the least infection rate 23(16.31%). Giardia lamblia 72(51.06%) was more abundant in the well water samples examined followed by Entamoeba histolytica 64(45.39%) while Cryptosporidium parvum 5(3.55%) was the least abundant protozoa parasite. The result revealed that the highest abundance of parasites was recorded in Amansea 51(36.17%) followed by Temp site 38(26.95%) while Amaenyi had the least 23(16.31%). The results showed the extent of parasitic contamination of the well sources across the study areas and the susceptibility of the populace to water-borne diseases. Hence, water obtained from these wells should be properly boiled before drinking, to avoid being infected.

Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of Giardia Lamblia in Kirkuk, Iraq

Results of laboratory examination of 600 faeces samples fem patients attended to Pediatric Hospital and General Kirkuk Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were showed 57 infection cases with Giardia lamblia with 9.5% infection rate. The diagnosis of positive samples was confirmed by PCR. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of parasite in males 38.6% compared to 29.8% females. The highest infection rate 28.1% were found among age groups (1-5) years whereas the lowest infection rate 10.5% were found at age groups (11-15) years. The infection rate in rural area was 56.1% as compared to 12.3% in urban. The PCR product analysis of glutamate dehydrogenase gene revealed two genotypes (assemblage A and assemblage B) amplified at 264 bp and 460 bp for identifying G.lamblia.

Prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among Asian schoolchildren: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intestinal protozoan parasites among Asian schoolchildren are a subject of concern due to their prevalence and potential health impact. Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for public health in the region. We conducted a comprehensive search for articles published up to December 2023 across four databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science. To estimate the combined prevalence, a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied, and the statistical analysis was performed using meta-analysis packages in R version (3.6.1). This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023481146). Among 131 eligible articles, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites was 0.208 (95% CI = 0.180-0.238). Lebanon and Tajikistan had the highest country-level prevalence at 0.851 and 0.836, respectively, with Giardia duodenalis being the most prevalent species at 0.082. In summary, our study highlights the urgent public health issue of protozoan parasites among Asian schoolchildren due to poor sanitation and water quality. Immediate interventions are essential, considering climate and socioeconomic factors, to combat these infections and improve overall health.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic pigs from family farms in northeastern Argentina

Domestic pigs serve as significant hosts and reservoirs for multiple parasite species, some specific to pigs and many others of zoonotic importance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites in pigs within a rural area in northeastern Argentina. We also examined demographic information, breeding conditions, and exposure factors associated with parasite presence. Pig feces were subjected to coprological examination through flotation and sedimentation techniques. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique was employed to examine oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. In total, 29 family farms with pig pens were analyzed, and 42 stool samples were collected from pigs on these farms. At the farm level, the presence of at least one parasite species was recorded in 27 rural houses (93.1%). We found that 90.4% of pigs were parasitized, with a specific parasitoses of 10 species, with a maximum of six species in a single host. The most prevalent protozoa were Entamoeba spp. (57.1%) and Blastocystis sp. (45.2%), followed by Iodamoeba butschlii (33.3%), Neobalantidium coli (21.4%), coccidia (14.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (9.5%) and Giardia spp. (2.3%). The most prevalent helminths were Strongylidae eggs (52.3%), Ascaris spp. (14.2%) and Trichuris spp. (2.3%). We advocate for an urgent need to implement a comprehensive prophylaxis program prioritizing general hygiene practices such as regular cleaning, removal of fecal material and renewal of drinking water. Additionally, vaccination and deworming protocols should be implemented. Furthermore, this study highlights the necessity for molecular-level evaluations to detect potential zoonotic genotypes of the identified protozoa.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention and the spread of Plasmodium falciparum quintuple-mutant parasites resistant to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine: a modelling study

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine prevents millions of clinical malaria cases in children younger than 5years in Africa's Sahel region. However, Plasmodium falciparum parasites partially resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (with quintuple mutations) potentially threaten the protective effectiveness of SMC. We evaluated the spread of quintuple-mutant parasites and the clinical consequences. We used an individual-based malaria transmission model with explicit parasite dynamics and drug pharmacological models to identify and quantify the influence of factors driving quintuple-mutant spread and predict the time needed for the mutant to spread from 1% to 50% of inoculations for several SMC deployment strategies. We estimated the impact of this spread on SMC effectiveness against clinical malaria. Higher transmission intensity, SMC coverage, and expanded age range of chemoprevention promoted mutant spread. When SMC was implemented in a high-transmission setting (40% parasite prevalence in children aged 2-10years) with four monthly cycles to children aged 3months to 5years (with 95% initial coverage declining each cycle), the quintuple mutant required 53·1years (95% CI 50·5-56·0) to spread from 1% to 50% of inoculations. This time increased in lower-transmission settings and reduced by half when SMC was extended to children aged 3months to 10years, or reduced by 10-13years when an additional monthly cycle of SMC was deployed. For the same setting, the effective reduction in clinical cases in children receiving SMC was 79·0% (95%CI 77·8-80·8) and 60·4% (58·6-62·3) during the months of SMC implementation when the quintuple mutant was absent or fixed in the population, respectively. SMC with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine leads to a relatively slow spread of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-resistant quintuple mutants and remains effective at preventing clinical malaria despite the mutant spread. SMC with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine should be considered in seasonal settings where this mutant is already prevalent. Swiss National Science Foundation and Marie Curie Individual Fellowship.

Environmental conditions influence host-parasite interactions and host fitness in a migratory passerine.

The study of host-parasite co-evolution is a central topic in evolutionary ecology. However, research is still fragmented and the extent to which parasites influence host life history is debated. One reason for this incomplete picture is the frequent omission of environmental conditions in studies analyzing host-parasite dynamics, which may influence the exposure to or effects of parasitism. To contribute to elucidating the largely unresolved question of how environmental conditions are related to the prevalence and intensity of infestation and their impact on hosts, we took advantage of 25 years of monitoring of a breeding population of pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca, in a Mediterranean area of central Spain. We investigated the influence of temperature and precipitation during the nestling stage at a local scale on the intensity of blowfly (Protocalliphora azurea) parasitism during the nestling stage. In addition, we explored the mediating effect of extrinsic and intrinsic factors and blowfly parasitism on breeding success (production of fledglings) and offspring quality (nestling mass on day 13). The prevalence and intensity of blowfly parasitism were associated with different intrinsic (host breeding date, brood size) and extrinsic (breeding habitat, mean temperature) factors. Specifically, higher average temperatures during the nestling phase were associated with lower intensities of parasitism, which may be explained by changes in blowflies' activity or larval developmental success. In contrast, no relationship was found between the prevalence of parasitism and any of the environmental variables evaluated. Hosts that experienced high parasitism intensities in their broods produced more fledglings as temperature increased, suggesting that physiological responses to severe parasitism during nestling development might be enhanced in warmer conditions. The weight of fledglings was, however, unrelated to the interactive effect of parasitism intensity and environmental conditions. Overall, our results highlight the temperature dependence of parasite-host interactions and the importance of considering multiple fitness indicators and climate-mediated effects to understand their complex implications for avian fitness and population dynamics.

Investigating the Prevalence of the Giardia lamblia Parasite in Children in Salah Al-Din Governorate

The research was conducted from June 2023 until December 2024 to detect the prevalence of infection with the Giardia lamblia parasite among children with diarrhea attending Tikrit Teaching Hospital in Salah al-Din Governorate. The study included collecting 400 stool samples for children whose ages ranged between (1-12) years. Direct wet swab to detect the presence of the parasite. The level of infection with the parasite reached 14.75%. The highest rate of infection was in males at 67.7% and lower in females at a rate of 32.2%. The highest rate of infection was at the age of (1-3) years at a rate of 38.9% and the lowest rate was 11.8% at the age of (9-12) years. The infection rate was 69.4%, high in families with 10 or more members, while in small families (4-5) individuals, the infection rate was 30.5%. The infection rate was highest in children who drank unfiltered river water, at 50.8%, and lowest in children who drank pure water, at 3.3%. The prevalence of this parasite in rural areas was higher than in urban areas, at a rate of 55.9% in all areas of the governorate. It was found that there were varying rates of infection in the different months of the year, reaching 28.8% in the summer, and the lowest infection rate in the winter.

Elucidating nematode diversity and prevalence in moose across a wide latitudinal gradient using DNA metabarcoding

Parasitic nematodes are ubiquitous and can negatively impact their host by reducing fecundity or increasing mortality, yet the driver of variation in the parasite community across a wildlife host's geographic distribution remains elusive for most species. Based on an extensive collection of fecal samples (n = 264) from GPS marked moose (Alces alces), we used DNA metabarcoding to characterize the individual (sex, age class) and seasonal parasitic nematode community in relation to habitat use and migration behavior in five populations distributed across a wide latitudinal gradient (59.6°N to 70.5°N) in Norway. We detected 21 distinct nematode taxa with the six most common being Ostertagia spp., Nematodirella spp., Trichostongylus spp., T. axei, Elaphostrongylus alces, and an unclassified Strongylida. There was higher prevalence of livestock parasites in areas with larger sheep populations indicating a higher risk of spillover events. The individual level nematode richness was mostly consistent across study areas, while the number and type of nematode taxa detected at each study area varied considerably but did not follow a latitudinal gradient. While migration distance affected nematode beta-diversity across all sites, it had a positive effect on richness at only two of the five study areas suggesting population specific effects. Unexpectedly, nematode richness was higher in winter than summer when very few nematodes were detected. Here we provide the first extensive description of the parasitic nematode community of moose across a wide latitudinal range. Overall, the population-specific impact of migration on parasitism across the distribution range and variation in sympatry with other ruminants suggest local characteristics affect host-parasite relationships.

Relationship between Urbanization and Parasite Infections in Wildlife in South Africa

Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between urbanization and parasite infections in wildlife in South Africa. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Urbanization in South African wildlife alters ecosystems, disrupting behavior and increasing parasite prevalence. Urban areas introduce new environments affecting parasite transmission dynamics, especially vector-borne diseases. Wildlife responses vary; some adapt, reducing parasite exposure, while others face higher loads due to stress and habitat changes. Human-wildlife interactions in urban settings heighten the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission. Conservation efforts should prioritize long-term monitoring and interdisciplinary research to mitigate these impacts on wildlife health. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Island biogeography theory, ecological niche theory & one health concept may be used to anchor future studies on relationship between urbanization and parasite infections in wildlife in South Africa. Regular health checks and parasite screenings for urban wildlife should be established to monitor and manage parasite infections. Policies should be established to address the impacts of urbanization on wildlife health, including regulations on green space development, waste management, and the control of domestic animal interactions with wildlife.

A host, a parasite, and a predator: the dynamics of successive invasions in the eastern Mediterranean

The eastern Mediterranean shelf ecosystem has been profoundly disrupted by the influx of invasive alien species introduced through the Suez Canal. Yet, the role of retaining or shedding co-evolved parasitofauna in the success of the invading biota has been scarcely monitored, with the exception of the lesser swimming crab Charybdis (Archias) longicollis Leene, 1938 parasitized by the rhizocephalan Heterosaccus dollfusi Boschma, 1960. Host size, sex ratio, prevalence of ovigerous females, parasitization, and multiple parasitization, were studied over 30 years to determine long-term host-parasite variation. Our results reveal that C. longicollis crabs have shifted their temporal activity pattern shortly following the domination of their preferred depth niche by the invasive diurnal predator, the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789), which preferentially feeds on C. longicollis locally. A unique set of predator-host-parasite interactions among three successive Erythraean invasive aliens is considered herein.

Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitosis in small ruminant farms in the Sahelian zone of Niger

The general aim of this study is to analyse the risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitosis in small ruminants in order to contribute to the emergence of targeted treatment methods, at herd and agro-climatic zone levels, for the integrated and sustainable management of parasitic diseases in Sahelian livestock systems. The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey conducted in 37 villages and coprological analysis using the McMaster method on faecal samples from 968 small ruminants, including 555 goats and 413 sheep. Multiple logistic regression was used to highlight the risk factors associated with each type of parasitosis encountered. The results showed that the most widespread farming system remained 100% traditional, with feeding based essentially on natural grazing. Coprological results showed the prevalence of nematodosis (70.2%), Cestodosis (4.1%) and Coccidiosis (79.9%), with an average prevalence of coinfection of 56.9%. These parasite loads were significantly higher during the rainy season and in the more arid northern Sahelian zone, with a marked reduction at the end of the season. Average parasitic egg excretions were 1089 EPG of nematodes and 6864 EPG of coccidia. Parasite loads were higher in the wetter southern strip and varied significantly by breed. Of the five breeds of small ruminants studied, the ara-ara sheep had the highest parasitic loads and prevalences for nematodosis (78.6%), coccidiosis (89,3%) and coinfection (70.9%), appears to be the most susceptible to parasitosis. As for risk factors for severe parasite pressure, animals at the end of the rainy season, older animals and those with poor body condition were at risk of nematodiasis or coinfection. On the other hand, animals at the beginning of the rainy season, farms located in less arid southern Sahelian zones and male subjects were the groups at significant risk of coccidiosis. In these extensive Sahelian farming conditions, the control of these parasitoses by selective treatment of animals could be developed, targeting in particular the risk groups highlighted in this study.

Malaria Transmission at The Zimbabwe-Mozambique Border: An Observational Study of Parasitemia by Travel History and Household Location.

Cross-border human population movement contributes to malaria transmission in border regions, impeding national elimination. However, its impact in low-to-moderate transmission settings is not well characterized. This community-based study in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe, estimated the association of parasite prevalence with self-reported overnight travel to Mozambique and household distance to the border from 2012-2020. A fully adjusted Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was fit using active surveillance data. The population attributable fraction of parasite prevalence from overnight travel was also estimated. The relative risk of testing positive for malaria by rapid diagnostic test declined 14% (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.81-0.92) per kilometer from the border up to 12 km away. Travel to Mozambique was associated with a 157% increased risk (PR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.38-4.78), although only 5.8% of cases were attributable to overnight travel (95% CI = -1.1% to 12.7%), reflecting infrequent overnight trips (1.3% of visits). This study suggests that transmission in eastern Zimbabwe is driven by increasingly conducive social or environmental conditions approaching the border and low levels of importation from overnight travel. Although day trips to Mozambique during peak biting hours were not assessed, the contribution of such trips to ongoing transmission may be significant. Future malaria control efforts should prioritize high coverage of existing interventions and continued support for community health workers and health facilities at the border, which provide free case management.

First reports of urogenital schistosomiasis in the Ndikiniméki health district, Center Cameroon

ObjectivesSchistosomiasis is still a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Cameroon. In this context, a cross-sectional study was carried out from June 2023 to July 2023 in the Ndikiniméki subdivision, with the aim of knowing the status of this locality in relation to Schistosoma haematobium infection. MethodsA parasitologic analysis of S. haematobium eggs was carried out on urine samples using the sedimentation technique. ResultsA total of 402 urine samples were collected from households. The age range of participants was 1-96 years, with the most signified age group being 1-9 years. Women were the most represented, with a proportion of 56.47%. Of the 402 people examined, 18 (4.45%) were affected, with an average intensity of 54.43 ± 85.30 eggs/10 mL urine. Women were the most affected, with a prevalence and average parasite intensity of 3.73% and 53.10 ± 131.27 eggs/10 mL of urine. The most affected age group was 10-19 years, with a prevalence and intensity of 4.60% and 49.49 ± 67.00 eggs per 10 mL of urine, respectively. Of those infected, 72.22% were lightly infected and 27.28% were heavily infected. ConclusionsThis study indicates that this locality is a risk area for urinary schistosomiasis despite its low prevalence.

High Frequency of Deletions in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Genes of Plasmodium falciparum in the Middle Rio Negro Region of the Brazilian Amazon.

Several countries are reporting natural populations of P. falciparum with deletions in the pfhrp2/3 genes that can lead to false-negative results in rapid diagnostic tests. To investigate the prevalence of deletion in the pfhrp2/3 genes in the Rio Negro basin in the Brazilian Amazon and identify whether there is clinical differentiation between individuals infected by these parasites, clinical samples collected from 2003 to 2016 were analyzed from symptomatic and asymptomatic P. falciparum-infected individuals. The molecular deletion of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes was evaluated using the protocols recommended by the WHO. From 82 samples used, 28 (34.2%) had a single deletion in pfhrp2, 19 (23.2%) had a single deletion in pfhrp3, 15 (18.3%) had a double deletion (pfhrp2/3), and 20 (24.4%) did not have a deletion in either gene. In total, 29.3% of individuals had an asymptomatic plasmodial infection and were 3.64 times more likely to have parasites with a double deletion (pfhrp2/3) than patients with clinical malaria (p = 0.02). The high prevalence of parasites with pfhrp2/3 deletions shows the need to implement a surveillance program in this area. Deletions in parasites may be associated with the clinical pattern of the disease in this area. More studies must be carried out to elucidate these findings.

Diagnostic performance of an ultra-sensitive RDT and a conventional RDT in malaria mass testing, treatment and tracking interventions in southern Ghana

BackgroundApplication of numerous malaria control interventions has led to reduction in clinical malaria cases and deaths but also the realisation that asymptomatic parasite carriers play a key role in sustaining transmission. This study assessed the effectiveness of using the Ultra-sensitive NxTek eliminate RDT (uRDT) and conventional SD Bioline HRP2 RDT (cRDT) in diagnosing asymptomatic parasitaemia while measuring the impact of mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) on the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria over a 1-year period in Ghana.MethodsA total of 4000 targeted participants from two towns, Obom and Kofi Kwei, with their surrounding villages, were tested for asymptomatic malaria four times over the study period using uRDT (intervention) and the cRDT (control) respectively. Participants carrying malaria parasites were followed by home visit and phone calls for compliance to treatment, and filter paper blood blots collected from participants were used to determine true parasite carriage by PET-PCR. A mathematical model of the study site was developed and used to test the impact of test sensitivity and mass migration on the effect of MTTT.ResultsThe start and end point sensitivities of the cRDT were 48.8% and 41.7% and those for the uRDT were 52.9% and 59.9% respectively. After a year of MTTTs, asymptomatic parasite prevalence, as determined by PCR, did not differ statistically in the control site (40.6% to 40.1%, P = 0.730) but decreased at the intervention site (55.9% to 46.4%, P < 0.0001). Parasite prevalence by RDT, however, indicated statistical reduction in the control site (25.3% to 22.3%, P = 0.017) and no change in the intervention site (35.1% to 36.0%, P = 0.614). The model predicted a mild effect of both diagnostic sensitivity and human movement in diminishing the impact of MTTT in the study sites.ConclusionsAsymptomatic parasite prevalence at the molecular level reduced significantly in the site where the uRDT was used but not where the cRDT was used. Overall, the uRDT exhibited higher sensitivity relative to the cRDT. Highly sensitive molecular techniques such as PET-PCR should be included in parasite prevalence estimation during MTTT exercises.Graphical

Sickle Cell Disease and Gut Health: The Influence of Intestinal Parasites and the Microbiome on Angolan Children.

Parasitic infections are a common problem in developing countries and can intensify morbidity in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), increasing the severity of anemia and the need for transfusions. It has been demonstrated that both helminths and protozoa can affect gut microbiome composition. On the other hand, the presence of specific bacterial communities can also influence parasite establishment. Considering this, our aim was to associate the presence of intestinal parasites with the results of hematological analyses and microbiome composition evaluations in a population of Angolan children with and without SCD. A total of 113 stool samples were collected, and gut microbiome analysis was performed using 16S sequencing and real-time PCR to detect eight different intestinal parasites. In our population, more than half of children (55%) had at least one parasitic infection, and of these, 43% were co-infected. Giardia intestinalis and Ascaris lumbricoides were more frequently found in children from the rural area of Bengo. Moreover, SCD children with ascariasis exhibited higher values of leukocytes and neutrophils, whereas the total hemoglobin levels were lower. In regards to the gut microbiome, the presence of intestinal parasites lowered the prevalence of some beneficial bacteria, namely: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Cuneatibacter, Bacteroides uniformis, Roseburia, and Shuttleworthia. This study presents the prevalence of several intestinal parasites in a high-risk transmission area with scarce information and opens new perspectives for understanding the interaction between parasites, the microbiome, and SCD.

An Assessment of the Epidemiology and In vitro Susceptibility of Giardia lamblia Trophozoites and Cysts to a Variety of Plant Extracts

Giardia lamblia is a prevalent intestinal parasite that cause diarrhea among human beings and the life cycle is complicated and contains two stages for trophozoites and cysts. These stages are hardly eradicated by using prescribed drugs such as metronidazole. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia in patients suffering from diarrhea and primary enteritis, then determine the antiparasitic activity of five plant extracts included (Zumeria majda, Thymus migricus, Artemisia santolina, Sargassum and Proskia) compared with available drug of metronidazole (MTZ) as an effective and first-time treatment against Giardia lamblia. Place and Duration of Study: It was performed between January 2023 to February 2024 at the laboratory of parasitology of three hospitals included Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Fallujah Teaching Hospital and Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in Al-Anbar governorate of Iraq. A total of 1200 stool samples of patients were collected from both genders and ranged in age from 6 months to 65 years. Methodology: The stool samples were examined directly by formalin-ether test using a light microscope to confirm the presence of G. lamblia infection. Test tubes contained 1 mL of every extract at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg/mL before 10,000 cysts or trophozoites were added and then the tubes were incubated at 37°C for a period of 30, 120, and 360 minutes. A light microscope set to 400x magnification, smears made from residual cyst and trophozoite material were arranged individually on glass slides. The mean number of the extracted cysts and trophozoites were assessed using vital 0.1% eosin staining. Results: G. lamblia parasite infections accounted for 47.8% of all infections; males had a greater prevalence of the parasite (49.6%) than females (45.7%). In relation to other age groups, the incidences of G. lamblia infection were higher in the age groups of 6 months to 10 years and (11-20) years, at 55.17% and 47.6%, respectively. At the lowest concentrations of 75μg/mL and 100μg/mL following exposure times of 240 min and 360 min, all five plant extracts examined in this study included Zumeria majda, Thymus migricus, Artemisia santolina, Sargassum and Proskia had a significant effect and killed 100.0% of the cysts and trophozoites of G. lamblia in contrast to the MTZ, which showed the highest reduction rates 68.4% against cysts and 75.4% against trophozoites. Conclusion: To conclude, the study findings indicate that G. lamblia infections are more common in AL-Anbar province particularly in younger people. This can be attributed to a number of factors such as improper eating and drinking habits and an absence of respect for hygiene and public health standards. Plant-based extracts showed promising in vitro activity at low doses and short times of exposure, according to the results on G. lamblia. These findings could lead to the development of a novel therapeutic alternative to treat Giardiasis infections.