Prevalence Of Various Parasites Research Articles

Prevalence, coinfection, and risk factors associated with Fasciola hepatica and other gastrointestinal parasites in cattle from the Peruvian Amazon.

Extensive cattle rearing is a major source of economy for the inhabitants of the Amazon region of Peru. Milk and meat production is generally affected by the prevalence of various parasites, including hepatic and gastrointestinal parasites, as these products provide ideal conditions for parasitic growth. This poses a serious public health threat. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, coinfection, and risk factors associated with the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and other gastrointestinal parasites in cattle from the Amazon region of Peru. Fecal samples obtained from 1450 bovine specimens were analyzed using flotation and sedimentation methods to identify parasites, including Eimeria spp., strongyle-type eggs (STEs), and F. hepatica. We collected information about the specimens, including age, sex, origin, breed, category, frequency of deworming, farm size, herd size, water sources, and rearing system by conducting simple inspections and interviewing owners. The data obtained were statistically evaluated using the Chi-square test (p < 0.05) to determine the association between the qualitative variables. We also calculated the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval to identify the risk factors. We observed that F. hepatica, Eimeria spp., and STEs were 45.6%, 39.8%, and 35.3% prevalent, respectively. We found risk factors related to distomatosis in the animals from Huambo, where the drinking water sources are mainly streams, ditches, and rivers, while the specimens from Valle Chico were predisposed to coccidiosis. Further, the risk factors related to the presence of STEs in feces were age (61-90 months), origin (Valle Chico), herd size (<50 animals), and type of extensive rearing. Furthermore, significant coinfection was observed between Eimeria spp. and STEs. The high percentages of parasites in cattle observed were related to epidemiological factors, such as the origin of the sample, water sources, age, herd size, and extensive breeding. Similarly, the presence of STEs was a risk factor for contracting coccidiosis. Our future goals include investigating these parasites using a larger sample size and identifying more risk factors using more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.

THE IMPACT OF EMERGENCIES ON THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KHAKASSIA

In the conditions of the Shirinsky District, monitoring was carried out for the first time for the change in number of helminthic diseases before and after fires. Fires have led to changes in the properties of the ground cover, soil, and simplification of communities; the complex of soil-dwelling arthropods has undergone a number of significant changes, which are manifested in a decrease in number and species diversity. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of various parasites in farm animals after large-scale fires on the example of the Shirinsky District of the Republic of Khakassia. The study subject was eggs, larvae and helminths of the studied animals. The study object was farm animals. The studies were carried out by the method of sequential washing of fecal samples. Based on the study results of 786 fecal samples from various animals, we received the following results. We have proved that the fire had a great impact on the parasitofauna of animals in the Shirinsky District; the number of invasive diseases first decreased after fires and then increased again. We found out that the decrease in number of parasitic diseases was associated with the following: fires had an adverse effect on the ecological state of the environment and changed the existence conditions of living organisms. The fire destroyed eggs, larvae and definitive hosts of the parasites.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Patients with Chronic Urticaria in Northern Iran.

Chronic urticaria (CU) has a range of clinical demonstrations and causes. Parasitic infections are mentioned as one of the main causes of the CU. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients with CU (with duration time of more than 6 weeks) compared healthy subjects. A total of 169 cases and 210 controls were included in this study. Ages ranged from 1 to 77 years old. Three samples were gathered from each patients and direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen and trichrome staining were used. Out of the 379 individuals examined here, 208 were from urban areas and 171 from rural areas. Three stool samples were taken from each patient in three consecutive days. Based on parasitological tests, 7 (4.1%) cases from 169 patients with CU and 6 (2.9%) cases from 210 non- CU group individuals were positive for intestinal parasites. The prevalence of various parasites between case and control groups was not significant.

Parasite prevalence in fecal samples from shelter dogs and cats across the Canadian provinces.

BackgroundIn Canada, surveys of enteric parasites in dogs and cats have been reported sporadically over the past 40 years, mostly focusing on a specific region. The present work was performed to determine the current prevalence of various parasites in fecal samples from shelter dogs and cats across the Canadian provinces.MethodsA total of 1086 dog and 636 cat fecal samples from 26 shelters were analysed using a sugar solution double centrifugal flotation technique. Prevalences (national, regional, provincial, age and parasite-specific), were calculated and compared using the Fisher-Exact test. A multiplex PCR was performed to distinguish Taenia spp, Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis on samples positive for taeniid eggs.ResultsOverall, 33.9% of dogs and 31.8% of cats were positive for at least one parasite. Toxocara canis and T. cati were the most prevalent parasite present in fecal samples followed by Cystoisospora spp. Prevalence in dogs was similar across the Atlantic, East, West and Pacific regions, while prevalence in cats varied regionally. Eggs of E. granulosus/E. canadensis were detected in samples from dogs from BC, AB, and ON.ConclusionsData from this study will help in the development of strategies, based on the level of risk per geographic location for the prevention and response to these parasites in pets and free-roaming and shelter animals in Canada.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in rodents of Tarai region of Uttarakhand

The present work was aimed to investigate helminth biodiversity among rodents in order to evaluate the threat for helminth transmission to humans since they act as a potential source of parasitic zoonoses. In this study, faeces of 43 black rats (Rattus rattus) and 35 house mice (Mus musculus) were collected from various habitats viz. domestic places and agricultural fields of different parts of tarai region of Uttarakhand. These faecal samples were examined for the presence of parasitic eggs, adult and segments of the worms. The study revealed that the rodents were infected with 5 genera of helminth parasites, i.e. Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Syphacia muris, Capillaria hepatica, Trichuris muris and other strongyle eggs (2 species of cestodes and 4 species of nematodes). Adult Syphacia muris and segments of Hymenolepis nana were also recovered from faecal droppings. Of the 43 samples of black rat, all (100%) and of the 35 samples of mice 9 (25.71%) were found positive for one or more than one species of parasitic infections. Greater infection of H. diminuta 19 (44.18%) followed by H. nana 17 (39.53%) was seen in rat whereas mice were mostly infected with H. nana. The diversity and prevalence of various parasites reported here within domestic habitats may suggest that these can pose a high risk of helminth transmission to human population and are thus of considerable public health importance.

Parasites in pet reptiles

Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.

Effects of Climate Variability on Interannual Variation in Parasites, Pathologies, and Physiological Attributes of Bivalves from the U.S. East, Gulf, and West Coasts

We analyzed weighted prevalence of various parasites and pathologies for 1995 to 2006 along with a set of physiological variables to determine the degree of concordancy in their interannual variations over 500-km stretches of coastline using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Status and Trends “Mussel Watch” Program. The variables examined in mytilid mussels fell into three groups based on the temporal patterns observed: ceroid bodies, taxon richness, digestive tubule atrophy, and major pathologies varied concordantly along the Northeast and West Coasts. For reproductive stage, sex ratio, and gill ciliates, concordant temporal trends were limited to the northeast coast. Gregarines, found only in West coast mussels, behaved similarly to those variables falling into the first group. A final group, trematode metacercariae and sporocysts, tissue pathologies, and the prokaryotes, was characterized by limited concordancy. For oysters, a similar triplet of groups wa...

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING TREMATODE PREVALENCE IN GREY TREE FROG (HYLA VERSICOLOR) TADPOLES IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

The emergence or increased prevalence of various parasites may be linked to alterations in host-parasite interactions caused by environmental changes. We investigated prevalence of trematode infections in grey tree frog (Hyla versicolor) tadpoles from ponds in nonagricultural settings versus ponds adjacent to cornfields in southern Ontario. We found that agricultural activity was a significant factor in determining the percentage of tadpoles infected by 1 or more trematodes from 1 or more species (combined trematode infection). However, we found no associations between combined trematode infection and forest cover; pond size; road density; and measures of water quality, such as nitrate level and the presence of the herbicide atrazine. Although combined trematode prevalence was associated only with agricultural activity, prevalence of Alaria species showed a positive association with forest cover. This latter result probably reflects the importance of habitat suitability for the canid definitive hosts of this trematode species.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in elementary school children.

The project described here was conducted to study the prevalence of various parasites in elementary school children in northern Jordan. A single stool specimen was collected from each of 1,000 students in the 6- to 14-year-old age group. A questionnaire covering demographic information, health status, and other relevant information was filled out by one of the parents of each student. Fresh stool specimens were processed by using wet mount preparations, formalin-ether, and Sheather's sugar flotation techniques. Permanently stained slides were prepared by acid-fast, Giemsa, and trichrome staining. Cryptosporidium species was found in 40 specimens (4%); however, only 15 specimens had Cryptosporidium species alone, and these 15 specimens were from symptomatic children with diarrheic stools. The symptoms reported most often were abdominal pain, cramps, malaise, nausea, and headache. The number of cases of infection was higher in villages, where contact with animals was evident and where contaminated drinking water could have been a major source of the infections.

Helminth parasites of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) in New South Wales.

A total of 930 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from New South Wales were examined for the presence of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites. The cestodes were represented by Taenia pisiformis with a prevalence of 15.7%, T. serialis (22.6%), T. taeniaeformis (0.1%), Spirometra erinacei (28.7%) and Dipylidium caninum (8.3%). No specimens of T. ovis, T. hydatigena or Echinococcus granulosus were encountered. Toxocara canis was the most prevalent nematode and occurred in 35.2% of foxes. Other nematodes encountered were Uncinaria stenocephala with a prevalence of 30.6%, Ancylostoma caninum (7.5%), Trichuris vulpis (2.7%) and Cyathospirura dasyuridis (0.3%). Oncicola sp was found in 1 fox. The prevalence of various parasites in foxes varied between different regions of New South Wales. All parasites, except S. erinacei and D. caninum were less prevalent in the western regions of the State. T. serialis and T. canis were more prevalent in male than female foxes. Of the parasites found T. serialis had the highest average burden per infected fox (17.9) and T. pisiformis had the lowest (2.8).