Prevalence Of Protozoa Research Articles

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in feces and water and the associated exposure factors on dairy farms.

The aims of this study were to verify the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in animal feces and drinking water on dairy farms and to identify a possible relation between the exposure factors and the presence of these parasites. Fecal samples from cattle and humans and water samples were collected on dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil. Analysis of (oo)cysts in the feces was performed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and centrifugal flotation in zinc sulfate. Test-positive samples were subjected to nested PCR amplification of the 18SSU ribosomal RNA gene for identification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia and of the gp60 gene for subtyping of Cryptosporidium. Microbiological analysis of water was carried out by the multiple-tube method and by means of a chromogenic substrate, and parasitological analysis was performed on 31 samples by direct immunofluorescence and nested PCR of the genes mentioned above. Identification of the species of Cryptosporidium was performed by sequencing and PCR with analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium was higher in calves than in adults. Among the samples of cattle feces, Cryptosporidium parvum was identified in 41 (64%), C. ryanae in eight (12.5%), C. bovis in four (6.3%), C. andersoni in five (7.8%), and a mixed infection in 20 samples (31.3%). These parasites were not identified in the samples of human feces. Thermotolerant coliform bacteria were identified in 25 samples of water (45.5%). Giardia duodenalis and C. parvum were identified in three water samples. The gp60 gene analysis of C. parvum isolates revealed the presence of two strains (IIaA20G1R1 and IIaA17G2R2) in the fecal samples and one (IIaA17G2R1) in the water samples. The presence of coliforms was associated with the water source, structure and degradation of springs, rain, and turbidity. The prevalence of protozoa was higher in calves up to six months of age. C. parvum and G. duodenalis were identified in the water of dairy farms, as were thermotolerant coliforms; these findings point to the need for guidance on handling of animals, preservation of water sources, and water treatment.

Two phylogenetically and compartmentally distinct CDP-diacylglycerol synthases cooperate for lipid biogenesis in Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent protozoan parasites, which infects a wide range of organisms, including one-third of the human population. Its rapid intracellular replication within a vacuole requires efficient synthesis of glycerophospholipids. Cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) serves as a major precursor for phospholipid synthesis. Given the peculiarities of lipid biogenesis, understanding the mechanism and physiological importance of CDP-DAG synthesis is particularly relevant in T. gondii Here, we report the occurrence of two phylogenetically divergent CDP-DAG synthase (CDS) enzymes in the parasite. The eukaryotic-type TgCDS1 and the prokaryotic-type TgCDS2 reside in the endoplasmic reticulum and apicoplast, respectively. Conditional knockdown of TgCDS1 severely attenuated the parasite growth and resulted in a nearly complete loss of virulence in a mouse model. Moreover, mice infected with the TgCDS1 mutant became fully resistant to challenge infection with a hyper-virulent strain of T. gondii The residual growth of the TgCDS1 mutant was abolished by consecutive deletion of TgCDS2. Lipidomic analyses of the two mutants revealed significant and specific declines in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol levels upon repression of TgCDS1 and after deletion of TgCDS2, respectively. Our data suggest a "division of labor" model of lipid biogenesis in T. gondii in which two discrete CDP-DAG pools produced in the endoplasmic reticulum and apicoplast are subsequently used for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol in the Golgi bodies and phosphatidylglycerol in the mitochondria. The essential and divergent nature of CDP-DAG synthesis in the parasite apicoplast offers a potential drug target to inhibit the asexual reproduction of T. gondii.

The Potential of Lactobacillus casei and Entercoccus faecium Combination as a Preventive Probiotic Against Entamoeba.

Travellers' diarrhoea caused by enteric protozoa like Entamoeba histolytica is among the most common protozoan diseases in developing countries. In developing countries, amoebiasis is the second most prevalent protozoan disease. This protozoan parasite is often known to coexist as a part of the normal gut microbiota. It is estimated that around 50-60% of population in developing countries might be harbouring Entamoeba in an asymptomatic manner. Due to physiological perturbation or upon immuno-compromise, it can become virulent and then cause diarrhoea, bloody stools and may invade other organs if left untreated. Nitroimidazole drugs, namely metronidazole and tinidazole, are widely used to treat protozoan infections. These drugs often show dose-dependent side effects. With emerging antibiotic resistance, novel therapeutics to prevent parasitic infections is required. This study aims to study effect of probiotics on prevention of Amoebiasis. In this study, we have investigated the effect of selected probiotics on the growth of Entamoeba. From the list of probiotics being currently used, five bacterial strains were selected for testing. These probiotic strains were co-cultured with Entamoeba, and their effect on Entamoeba proliferation was checked. Of the five probiotics chosen, individual treatments of Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecium showed a significant reduction of up to 71% in parasite survival only at higher CFUs. When the two probiotics were used in combination, the percentage of survival reduced gradually further to 80% at a total CFU of 109cells/ml of bacteria. The study lays the foundation for providing cost-effective prophylactic treatment for amoebiasis without the overuse of antibiotics.

Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients of the Isfahan Province

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, is the most prevalent protozoan parasite in the world. Objectives: Due to high prevalence of toxoplasmosis as well zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis with Leishmania major origin in Isfahan, the main objective of this study was to determine, whether there is any correlation between these two protozoan infections and the intensity of the high prevalence of co-infection. Methods: All the case and control samples (80 individuals), collected from suspected patients that had referred for a skin test to the Isfahan dermatology and Leishmaniasis research center from August to November 2014, were investigated. About 2 mL of venipuncture blood was taken from each case and control group member, and serum was separated and stored at -20°C until the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: Overall, 27 (33.8%) candidates in the control group and 33 (41.3%) patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) were positive for Toxo-IgG. All samples were found to be Toxo-IgM negative. The prevalence difference of Toxoplasma infection in healthy controls and CL patients was not significant. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the prevalence difference of Toxoplasma infection in healthy controls and CL patients was not significant. This means, there was no relationship between infection with CL and toxoplasmosis, thus infection with Toxoplasma gondii wasn't a risk factor for infection with Leishmaniasis; Toxoplasma gondii didn't show a preventive or inhibitory role against Leishmania infection.

Quantifying the Risk of Human Toxoplasma gondii Infection Due to Consumption of Domestically Produced Lamb in the United States

Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent protozoan parasite worldwide. Human toxoplasmosis is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in the United States, and meat products have been identified as an important source of T. gondii infections in humans. The goal of this study was to develop a farm-to-table quantitative microbial risk assessment model to predict the public health burden in the United States associated with consumption of U.S. domestically produced lamb. T. gondii prevalence in market lambs was pooled from the 2011 National Animal Health Monitoring System survey, and the concentration of the infectious life stage (bradyzoites) was calculated in the developed model. A log-linear regression and an exponential doseresponse model were used to model the reduction of T. gondii during home cooking and to predict the probability of infection, respectively. The mean probability of infection per serving of lamb was estimated to be 1.5 cases per 100,000 servings, corresponding to ∼6,300 new infections per year in the U.S. Based on the sensitivity analysis, we identified cooking as the most effective method to influence human health risk. This study provided a quantitative microbial risk assessment framework for T. gondii infection through consumption of lamb and quantified the infection risk and public health burden associated with lamb consumption.

Prevalence and predictors associated with intestinal infections by protozoa and helminths in southern Brazil.

Approximately 2 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. This research aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors associated with parasitic infections in primary health care. A cross-sectional study was performed with a large random sample to identify the prevalence and predictors associated with parasitic infections in primary health care in Marialva, southern Brazil, from April 2011 to September 2013. Stool samples from 775 individuals were analyzed for the presence of protozoan cysts, helminth eggs, and larvae. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 13.94%, and the prevalence of protozoa and helminths was 15.1 and 2.9%, respectively. The predictor variables that were associated with intestinal parasites were male gender odds ratio (OR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI 1.10-2.40) and the absence of a kitchen garden (OR 2.28, 95% CI, 1.08-4.85). Positive associations were found between Giardia duodenalis and individuals aged ≤18 with high risk (OR 19.0, 95% CI 2.16-167.52), between Endolimax nana and the absence of a kitchen garden (p < 0.01), and between Trichuris trichiura and the presence of a kitchen garden (p = 0.014). Polyparasitism was present in 27.27% of infected individuals. Our findings confirmed a relatively low prevalence in primary care, compared to international standards, despite the rare publications in the area. As variables, male gender and the absence of a kitchen garden stood out as important predictors. It is highly relevant that the health conditions of the population comply with consistent standards.

Dextran sulfate inhibits acute Toxoplama gondii infection in pigs.

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent protozoan that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Its definitive hosts are Felidae and its intermediate hosts include various other mammals and birds, including pigs. It is found in the meat of livestock which is a major source of human infection. Hence the control of toxoplasmosis in pigs is important for public health. We previously showed that dextran sulfate (DS), especially DS10 (dextran sulfate MW 10 kDa), is effective against T. gondii infection both in vitro and in mice. In this study, we asked whether DS affects T. gondii infection of pigs, one of the main animal sources of toxoplasmosis transmission to humans.MethodsFourteen-day-old male pigs (n = 10) were infected with T. gondii and then immediately treated with different doses of DS10; clinical, pathological, and immunological analyses were performed 5 days post-infection.ResultsDS10 had an inhibitory effect on toxoplasmosis in pigs. Intravenous injection of DS10 prevented the symptoms of toxoplasmosis and reduced the parasite burden and inflammation induced by T. gondii infection. High-dose DS10 (500 μg per head) caused reversible hepatocellular degeneration of the liver; middle-dose DS10 (50 μg per head) was effective against toxoplasmosis in pigs without causing this side effect.ConclusionsOur data suggest that middle-dose DS10 led to minimal clinical symptoms of T. gondii infection and caused little hepatocellular degeneration in our pig model, thereby demonstrating its potential as a new treatment for toxoplasmosis. These data should be very beneficial to those interested in the control of toxoplasmosis in pigs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1421-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence of Protozoa and Indicator Bacteria in Wastewater Irrigation Sources in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Cases from Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and Madhyapur Thimi Municipalities

Prevalence of Protozoa and Indicator Bacteria in Wastewater Irrigation Sources in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Cases from Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and Madhyapur Thimi Municipalities

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in rural and urban communities from Los Rios Region, Chile

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a prevalent protozoan infection with a complex lifecycle and wide profile of risk factors. The impact of congenital infection is well documented; however, there is increasing evidence of a much broader range of potential health outcomes and the need to improve our understanding of the transmission patterns and infection sources in the overall population. This study examined the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in distinct community types from a highly endemic area of Chile.MethodsA cross-sectional serosurvey was carried out in households from urban slums, rural villages, and farms which included collection of blood samples, as well as data on sociodemographic, behavioral, and spatial variables. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies. Avidity index was obtained for IgG-positive samples. Mixed-effects regression modeling was used to identify associations with relevant risk factors.ResultsCrude seroprevalence was 55.9% (95% CI: 52.6–59.1%) with no difference by community type. Results are indicative of early exposure to the parasite, including 40% of 13- to 17-year olds who were already seropositive. Sociodemographic factors associated with seropositivity included age, occupations, and income. However, sex modified the effect of occupation as well as of income. Practices associated with increased seropositivity were consumption of sheep and locally produced vegetables as well as cleaning household barns or sheds. Boiling water for household use was a protective factor. Living on a sloped terrain without vegetation was a protective factor, while living in an area with high flow accumulation index was a risk factor.ConclusionsSeroprevalence of infection was high in both rural and urban slum communities with unique risk factor profiles for each community type. Findings highlight the role of the household and the community environment as influential factors in the epidemiology of the infection. Increasing awareness is needed at the health care and public health levels to establish disease burden and options for suitable control programs.

PREVALÊNCIA DE PARASITOSES INTESTINAIS DE ACORDO COM O GÊNERO EM UM HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO NO SUL DO BRASIL

Introdução: As parasitoses intestinais apresentam elevada morbimortalidade, especialmente em áreas endêmicas. O Brasil é um país de extrema heterogeneidade econômica e pouco se sabe sobre a prevalência de parasitoses intestinais na região Sul. O objetivo desse estudo é relatar a prevalência de parasitoses intestinais em exames de fezes, e avaliar se há diferenças em relação ao gênero. Métodos: Estudo de coorte histórico, analítico transversal, que avaliou exames parasitológicos de fezes (PPFs) realizados em laboratório de Hospital Universitário. Resultados: Foram incluídos 3.126 resultados de PPFs, onde 44,4% pertenciam a homens e 10,1% eram positivos. Protozoários comensais foram os mais frequentes (7,7%) e E. nana foi o mais prevalente (3,7%). Entre os patogênicos, o mais frequente foi G. lamblia (1,3%), seguido de S. stercoralis (0,7%). De uma forma geral, os homens apresentaram maior proporção de exames positivos (13,0% vs. 7,8%; P &lt; 0,001), tanto para parasitos comensais (7,2% vs. 5,1%; P = 0,016), quanto para patogênicos (4,5% vs. 1,8%; P &lt; 0,001); tanto para protozoários (10,7% vs. 6,4%; P &lt; 0,001) quanto para nematodos (1,4% vs. 0,6%; P = 0,036). Igualmente, os homens apresentaram uma maior proporção de resultados positivos para E. nana (5,2% vs. 2,6%; P &lt; 0,001), E. coli (3,5% vs. 1,6%; P &lt; 0,001), G. lamblia (2,2% vs. 0,6%; P &lt; 0,001) e S. stercoralis (1,1% vs. 0,3%; P = 0,013) quando comparados às mulheres. Conclusões: Parasitos foram encontrados em 10% dos exames, sendo os comensais mais prevalentes. Os homens exibiram maior proporção de enteroparasitoses que as mulheres.

Blastocystosis in post-traumatic splenectomized patients

Background/aimsThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of intestinal protozoa, specially Blastocystis spp., and to perform PCR-based subtype classification for understanding the importance of Blastocystis spp. in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in post-traumatic splenectomized patients. Materials and methodsA total of 60 stool samples were obtained from 30 post-traumatic splenectomized patients and 30 healthy controls. Wet mounts, trichrome and Kinyoun acid-fast stained slides were prepared from the stool specimens. PCR was used for detecting the presence of Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis spp. Genotyping was realized by using Blastocystis hominis STS primers. ResultsIn both study groups, any helminth eggs and other protozoa except Blastocystis spp. were not detected by microscopy and PCR, and also bacterial cultures were negative. Only stool microscopy was positive for Blastocystis spp. in 30% (9 of 30) of splenectomized patients and in 13% (4/30) of healthy controls. PCR for Blastocystis spp. was positive in 40% (12 of 30), B. hominis genotypes were 20% (6/30): STS1 in 10% (3/30) and STS3 in 10% (3/30) of splenectomized patients. In healthy controls Blastocystis spp. was 13% (4/30) by PCR and genotypes of B. hominis was not detected. The difference between the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. infection in splenectomized patients and control groups was statistically significant (p=0.020). Abdominal pain was the most frequent gastrointestinal symptom (p=0.019) among splenectomized patients positive for Blastocystis spp. ConclusionIn post-traumatic healthy splenectomized patients, Blastocystis spp. were found to be the most prevalent protozoa and may be responsible for the gastrointestinal disorders.

Circular Noncoding Ribosomal Transcripts and Recombination of Retrotransposons: Two Charming Secrets Revealed by a Less-Explored Human Parasite

Parasites, through their diverse cellular metabolic pathways, help us to appreciate the dif ferent directions in which evolution works, while maintaining a unified theme. To illustrate this I describe our recent observations with two basic processes, namely regulation of ribosomal RNA transcription, and the biology of retrotranspos ition in Entamoeba histolytica, a highly prevalent protozoan parasite that causes amebiasis. Ribosomal RNA synthesis is generally tightly regulated in response to growth rate such that cells subjected to growth stress shut down their rRNA transcription. In E. histolytica we observed that upon growth stress, rRNA synthesis did not shut down. Instead, unprocessed pre-rRNA accumulated to high levels along with a novel class of circular RNAs derived from the 5’-external transcribed spacer (etsRNA). The etsRNA can self circularize in vitro, a property not previously known in spacer RNAs. We hypothesize that circular etsRNAs would escape exonucleolytic decay and inhibit pre-rRNA processing, possibly by titrating away the processing factors which normally bind to them. In the study on retrotransposition of non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons (EhLINEs/SINEs), we successfully mobilized EhSINE in a cell-line made retrotransposition-competent by transfection with multiple constructs to express the polypeptides required for retrotransposition, a first for any protozoan parasite. While tracking retrotransposition of a marked SINE copy we found that the newly retrotransposed SINEs had undergone high-frequency recombination, presumably due to the known ability of reverse transcriptase to perform template jumping. Such recombination has not been reported for retrotransposons, and may be important in generating sequence polymorphism.

Recent insights into the genetic diversity, epidemiology and clinical relevance of Blastocystis species.

Blastocystis is a widely prevalent intestinal protozoan of man and other animals. It is associated with gastro intestinal disorders and symptoms. Emerging literature suggests that several subtypes of this parasite exist and are responsible for virulence, pathogenicity and symptoms. A variety of new diagnostic methods have been developed which help to recognize genotypic variations, subtype relationship and determination of carrier state. In symptomatic patients, when the other etiological agents have been excluded, it is prudent to treat Blastocystis infection. Metronidazole remains the drug of choice for treatment. Further research is required to shed light on taxonomy, biology and virulence of this organism.

OCORRÊNCIA DE ENTEROPARASITOSES EM MANIPULADORES DE ALIMENTOS DE RESTAURANTES EM PARNAÍBA, PIAUÍ-BRASIL

Introduction: Intestinal parasites are a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, affectingindividuals from several social classes. The fecal-oral route of transmission of these infectionsfacilitates their spread by food. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of parasitic contaminationsamong restaurant food handlers in the city of Parnaiba, Piaui, also discussing their possible influenceson the transmission of enteroparasites. Methodology: Fecal samples from 251 individuals agedbetween 20 and 59 years were analyzed. Hoffman, Pons & Janer and Willis methods were performedon samples. Structured questionnaires about socio-economic and health aspects of individuals wereapplied. Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests with significance level of 5% were used to identifyassociations between categorical variables. Results: Positive samples for parasites were found in 51%(129 samples). Cases of polyparasitism were also found. Protozoa detected were Entamoeba coli(38%), Endolimax nana (26%), Entamoeba histolytica / E. dispar (17%), Iodamoeba bustchlii (8%).Helminths detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (48%), ancylostomides (19%), Enterobius vermicularis(13%), Strongyloides stercoralis (10%), Hymenolepis nana (6%) and Taenia spp. (4%). Conclusion:A high prevalence (51%) of intestinal parasites was found in restaurant food handlers. Prevalence ofprotozoan infections (74%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than helminth infections (26%).

Antibiotic resistance in prevalent bacterial and protozoan sexually transmitted infections.

The emergence of multi-drug resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is causing a treatment crisis across the globe. While cephalosporin-resistant gonorrhea is one of the most pressing issues, extensively antibiotic resistant Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis are also becoming commonplace. Experts have suggested that the failure of current treatment regimens are "largely inevitable" and have called for entirely new classes of antimicrobial agents. With the exception of several new classes of drugs primarily targeting nosocomial infections, progress has been slow. While pharmaceutical companies continue to introduce new drugs, they are based on decade-old discoveries. While there is disagreement about what constitutes new classes of antibiotics, many experts suggest that the last truly new family of antimicrobials was discovered in 1987. This review summarizes the existing literature on antibiotic resistance in common bacterial and protozoal STIs. It also briefly discusses several of the most promising alternatives to current therapies, and further examines how advances in drug delivery, formulation, concentration, and timing are improving the efficacy of existing treatments. Finally, the paper discusses the current state of pharmaceutical development for multidrug-resistant STI.

Occurrence of parasitic protozoa in wild waterfowl in southern coastal Caspian sea lagoons

BACKGROUND: Protozoa are common in poultry and otherbirds and can cause mild to severe disease. OBJECTIVES: Thisstudy was concerned with the prevalence of parasitic protozoa inwild waterfowl in Caspian sea lagoons in the North of Iran.METHODS:Atotal of 293 waterfowl belonging to various generaincluding Tadorna tadorna (common shelduck),Aythya fuligula(Tufted duck), Aythya ferina (Common puchard), Spatulaclypeata (Shoveler), Anser anser (greylag goose), CygnusCygnus (Whooper Swan), Anas strepera (Gadwall), AnasPenelope (Eurasian Widgeon), Anas crecca (common teal), andAnas platyrhynchos (mallard) were sampled and tested forintestinal, tracheal, and blood protozoa between winter 2010 andspring 2011. RESULTS: The results showed that 184 birds of 293(62.8%) harbored protozoan parasites. The highest prevalence ofprotozoan contamination belonged to Giardia spp (24.2%) andthe lowest belonged to Haemoproteus spp. (6.1%). Thricomunasgallinea, Plasmodium spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. werefound in 7.2%, 8.2%, and 17% of waterfowl, respectively.Moreover, statistical analyses showed that the highest rate ofgiardiosis was in female Aythya fuligula (43.75%). However,tricomuniasis belonged to Anas crecca (30.5%). On the otherhand, female Cygnus cygnus had the highest rate ofcryptosporidiosis (44.7%), and more infection to Haemoproteusand Plasmodium spp. were observed in Anas platyrhynchos,concurrently. CONCLUSIONS: Migration of various species ofwaterfowl toward the northern parts of Iran has an importantimpact on parasitic diseases in birds and human in these regions.

Toxoplasma gondii-infected natural killer cells display a hypermotility phenotype in vivo.

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent intracellular protozoan parasite that causes severe disease in congenitally infected or immunocompromised hosts. T. gondii is capable of invading immune cells and it has been suggested that the parasite harnesses the migratory pathways of these cells to spread through the body. Although in vitro evidence suggests that the parasite further enhances its spread by inducing a hypermotility phenotype in parasitized immune cells, in vivo evidence for this phenomenon is scarce. Here we use a physiologically relevant oral model of T. gondii infection, in conjunction with two-photon laser scanning microscopy, to address this issue. We found that a small proportion of natural killer (NK) cells in mesenteric lymph nodes contained parasites. Compared with uninfected ‘bystander' NK cells, these infected NK cells showed faster, more directed and more persistent migratory behavior. Consistent with this, infected NK cells showed impaired spreading and clustering of the integrin, LFA-1, when exposed to plated ligands. Our results provide the first evidence for a hypermigratory phenotype in T. gondii-infected NK cells in vivo, providing an anatomical context for understanding how the parasite manipulates immune cell motility to spread through the host.

High lipid storage in vacoular forms of subtype 6 Blastocystis sp. in ostrich.

BackgroundBlastocystis sp., a widely prevalent intestinal protozoan parasite is found in a wide range of animals, including humans. The possibility of zoonotic transmission to human from birds especially ostriches led us to investigate on the cross infectivity of Blastocystis sp. isolated from the ostrich feces as well as the phenotypic and subtype characteristics. There is a need to investigate this especially with the rising number of ostrich farms due to the growing global ostrich industry.Findings100% of the ostriches were found to be positive for Blastocystis sp. using the in-vitro cultivation method. Transmission electron microscopy revealed high electron dense material in the central body of the vacoular forms. The membrane layer of the ostrich isolate was significantly (p = 0.003) thicker as compared to human isolate. Sudan staining revealed that this was lipid accumulation. We provide evidence for the first time, the existence of subtype 6 which has been previously reported only in pigs and cattle. Cysts, ranging from 3.0 to 7.0 μm in diameter caused experimental infection in Sprague Dawley rats implicating that Blastocystis sp. isolated from ostriches exhibits low host specificity.ConclusionThe study for the first time demonstrates that Blastocystis sp. subtype 6 do exist in ostriches and show high lipid storage in the vacuoles of the parasites. The study further provides evidence for potential zoonotic transmission in ostrich farms as Blastocystis subtype 6 can infect rats and the same subtype have been previously reported in humans.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum isolates from human cryptosporidiosis cases in Scotland.

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is one of the most prevalent protozoan pathogens responsible for inducing human and animal disease worldwide. In this study, the glycoprotein-60 (gp60) subtyping tool was employed to assess the molecular diversity of C. parvum from human feces throughout Scotland during potential outbreaks. Over a 24-month period, microscopy analysis revealed 1139 positive feces containing Cryptosporidium species with 256 identified by molecular methods specifically as C. parvum. Cryptosporidium parvum was shown to be more prevalent in rural areas of Scotland and subtyping of 87 isolates demonstrated the predominant family as IIa, which occurred in 94% (n=82) of isolates. The IIaA15G1R1 subtype was most common, being isolated from 47% (n=41) of Scottish human cases. Non-IIa strains constituted a total of 5 isolates and included subtypes from the IIc, IId and IIg families. This information contributes significantly to existing knowledge and understanding of C. parvum subtypes in Scotland which is vital in assisting with the management of future local and national outbreaks.

A survey on Sarcocystis spp. infection in cattle of Tabriz city, Iran.

Sarcocystis is one of the most prevalent protozoan parasites in the striated muscles of livestock slaughtered for food such as cattle, sheep and goat. Meat that is heavily infected may be condemned as unfit for human consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in slaughtered cattle in Tabriz, northwest of Iran. The prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infection was investigated in 670 cattle, slaughtered from April 2013 to October 2013 in the Tabriz abattoir, Iran using naked eye examination for macroscopic Sarcocysts, and peptic digestion, muscle squash, squeezing methods for microscopic types. Muscles from oesophagus, tongue, heart, diaphragm and cervical and abdominal of 670 slaughtered cattle were examined for Sarcocystis spp. cysts. The prevalence of microscopic Sarcocystis spp. cysts in cattle was detected in 100% and there was detected in macroscopic cyst 8.2% in examined cattle. There were no significant differences among the infection rates of the different organs (P>0.05). There were no significant differences among the infection rates of the different ages (P>0.05). The prevalence of macroscopic infection in the oesophagus was higher than that of the other organs (P<0.05). The infection rate was independent of sex (8.25% in males and 8.13% in females, P>0.05). This suggests that meat should be cooked sufficiently, since a macroscopic inspection may not provide true results. Also, it has of great importance the farmers to be trained not to feed their dogs and cats with uncooked meat, and the abattoir remnants to be burned, in order to be effectively broken of infection cycle between the intermediate and the definitive hosts in Tabriz city, northwest of Iran.