Smear Method Research Articles

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South-Eastern Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites are responsible for substantial loss of productivity in swine and other livestock industries, they constitute a major impediment to efficient and profitable livestock production. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence and evaluate the risks factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites among pigs in the study area. Methodologically, faecal samples were macroscopically examined for the presence of blood and adult parasites. Direct smear method, floatation technique and sedimentation by centrifugation were employed to detect the presence of eggs of parasites. Results identified eight intestinal parasites from a total of 300 fecal samples in pigs from different farms in Abakaliki metropolis, with an overall prevalence of 99.7%. Ascaris suum had the highest prevalence of 30.6%, followed by Metastrongylus spp. 17.5%, Cryptosporidium spp. 17.1%, Trichuris suis 10.6%, Eimeria spp. 10.2%, Oesophagostomum spp. 6.12%, Isospora suis 4.0% and Paragonimus westermanii 3.6%. In the present study, it can be deduced that gastrointestinal parasitism can occur in any farm irrespective of the type of housing, and management practices. Therefore, improved husbandry system and modern management practices should be embraced to enhance preventive measures against helminthosis.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among School Children of Bajawar, Pakistan

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are caused by protozoan and helminths and are among the most widespread infection in poor populations. The current study aimed to investigate factors affecting the prevalence IPI among children going to school at the primary level in District Bajaur. Methods: After obtaining official approval from the school administration, a formal consent questionnaire was filled out by the selected children based on age, education level, and parents’ income. A total of 687 fecal samples were collected from August 2019 to December 2019 in seven subdivisions of Bajaur and were examined through normal saline and Lugol’s iodine solutions (direct smear method). Results: The prevalence of infection was noticed in 58.5% (n=402/687) of samples, in which the highest prevalent parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (39.8%, n=160/402), followed by Taenia saginata (18.1%, n=73/402), Entamoeba histolytica (15.4%, n=62/402), Enterobius vermicularis (8.70%, n=35/402), Giardia lamblia (7.46%, n=30/402), and Trichuris trichiura (5.47%, n=22/402). On the other hand, the lowest prevalence rate was noted for Hymenolepis nana in only 7 samples, including 2 cases (28.57%) in males and 5 cases (71.43%) in females, respectively. The students of grade 5 were more adapted to hand washing (90.9%), while the lowest rate of hand washing was observed in kindergarten and 1st class children (P>0.05). The children of the low classes were found to eat raw food materials more than those of the high classes (P>0.05). The same case was also detected for water sources (P>0.05), while the children of the 1st and 2nd classes were found more associated with pet animals than the other students (P>0.05). Mon parasitism and polyparasitism were observed at 76.6% (n=308/402) and 4.95% (n=20/402), respectively. Conclusion: The current study calls for the control of IPI among children of the study region as polyparasitism as an alarming reason.

Identification Prevalence Of Endoparasite In Canines Bayan Lepas, Penang

This study aims to determine the type, prevalence and influence of sex and age on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites on dogs in Bayan Lepas, Penang. A total of 100 samples of dog feces were collected from three Districts. Feces examination was performed by direct smear, sedimentation, and floatation methods. The kind of helminth was Trichuris sp. 2% (2/100), Dipylidium sp. 2% (2/100), Ancylostoma sp. 1% (1/100), Toxocara sp. 2% (2/100), Strongyloides sp. 2% (2/100) and protozoa Isospora sp. 18% (18/100), Giardia sp. 1% (1/100) samples were positively infected by helminth and protozoa. According to the statistics analysis, could be concluded that sex and age do not affect the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite.

PARASITIC WORM OF AGILE GIBBON (Hylobates agilis F. CUVIER 1821) AND SIAMANG (Symphalangus syndactylus RAFFLES 1821) AT SERULINGMAS ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, BANJARNEGARA

Samples feces were collected from three heads of agile gibbon and three heads of siamang using direct smear, flotation, sedimentation, and McMaster methods. Identification is achieved by using faecal cultures to obtain larvae of parasitic worm. Identification result indicated that male agile gibbon (W/I) infected by two types of parasitic worms (Trichostrongylus and Strongyloides). In contrast, female agile gibbon (W/IIa and W/IIb), placed in the same cage as a male agile gibbon are uninfected by a parasitic worm. Male siamang (S/IA) put in a different cage with others is uninfected. Male siamang (S/IB) ia infected by three types of parasitic worms (Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, and Cooperia) while the female siamang (S/IIB) that placed in the same cage with S/IB infected with one type of parasitic worm (Trichuris). Each egg account results showed no amount exceeding 300 eggs per gram of feces. This led to the degree of infection in agile gibbon and siamang at Serulingmas Zoological Garden, belonging to a common disease. It can be concluded that the type of parasitic worms found in the agile gibbon at Serulingmas Zoological Garden namely Trichostrongylus and Strongyloides while the variety of parasitic worms found in the siamang namely Trichuris, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, and Cooperia.

Identification and Prevalence of Endoparasite on Layer Chicken in Udanawu Sub-district Blitar

The aim of this research was to determined the prevalence and infection degrees of endoparasite on layer chicken in Sub-district Udanawu, Blitar. Ninety-six samples were taken from layer chicken in 3 different villages namely Bakung Village, Tunjung Village, and Slemanan Village. The examinations taken in this study are fecal examination using native, sediment, and floating methods and blood examination using blood smear method. Result showed that 81.25% samples are positive for helminthiasis infection consisting of Ascaridia galli (66.67%), Heterakis gallinarum (45.83%), Raillietina sp. (31.25%), and Strongyloides avium (7.29%). Blood examination result shown there is no positive sample that infect layer chicken in Sub-district Udanawu, Blitar. Chi-Square test result showed there are significant difference (P<0.05) of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum in Bakung Village, Tunjung Village, and Slemanan Village in Sub-district Udanawu, meanwhile there are no significant difference (P>0.05) of Raillietina sp. and Strongyloides avium. Range of infection degrees of helminthiasis in Bakung village, Tunjung village, and Slemanan Village are 608.75 ± 588.53, 223.12 ± 359.21, 156.25 ± 332.39. There are significant difference (P<0.05) on helminthiasis infection degree of layer chicken in Udanawu District, Blitar.

Cytological, cell block and immunohistochemical analysis of spectrum of malignant pleural effusion with special reference to non-small cell lung carcinoma: A hospital based study of North East India

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) can result from primary malignancies of the pleura or from underlying intrathoracic or extrathoracic malignancies that reach the pleural space by hematogenous, lymphatic, or contiguous spread. Conventional smear and cell block (CB) technique is one of the oldest methods for the evaluation of body cavity fluids. The principal advantage of cell block over conventional smears are an additional yield of malignant cells and obtaining multiple sections for ancillary tests such as immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study which was conducted for a period of 14 months from June 2021 to July 2022 in a tertiary care centre of North East India. Among 277 pleural effusion specimens 11.91% cases were positive for malignancy.Lung carcinoma was the most common cause of malignant pleural effusion. Non-small cell lung carcinoma comprised majority of lung carcinoma cases. Adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype of NSCLC with female preponderance. Cytological diagnosis had a Sensitivity of 76.19%, specificity of 100% andAccuracy of 96.5%. Immunohistochemistry of lung carcinoma in cell block preparation revealed 77.77% cases of adenocarcinoma of lung were positive for TTF-1(P<0.018). Immuno-expression of P63 and P40 showed positive expression in both the cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Conventional smear and cell block method with application of immunohistochemistry will help us in accurate diagnosis of primary site of the tumour aiding early treatment especially in resources restricted hospitals.

A case series of comparative study of two cell block methods

Cell block method for assessment of body fluids, effusions, material obtained from FNA’s is simple, inexpensive and overcomes the pitfalls of conventional cytology such as atypical metaplasia, crowding of cells, reparative changes and staining artifactThis retrospective study was done from October 2020 to February 2021 at tertiary care hospital. Various samples of body fluids (peritoneal, pleural, cererbrospinal fluid, bronchial wash, synovial fluids, pus, endometrial aspirate, sputum, urine received in cytology section studied. The cell blocks by formalin and plasma-thrombin methods are prepared and compared with each other and comparison of their diagnostic accuracy with diagnostic accuracy of conventional smear method On comparison of formalin and plasma-thrombin methods, the median score of plasma-thrombin method is 5 while that of formalin based method is 4. The diagnostic accuracy of plasma-thrombin method is 69.23% and that of formalin based method is 68.19%The cell block helps in providing additional cellular details and nuclear features when studied in conjunction with conventional smear. The plasma thrombin method provides better cellular details but in low cost setting it is not cost effective. Formalin method is both cost effective and handy.

Study of Estrus Induction in the Female Dog by PMSG and HCG

Our study, spread over four (4) months (February to June), aims at heat induction and monitoring within a population of 10 female dogs of different breeds (German shepherd, Rottweiler and Pit-bull). Aged from 2.5 to 4.5. Two of them were used as controls. To do this, we carried out the following investigations: Monitoring the sexual cycle of the female dogs, prior to heat induction, by gynecological and cytological examination (vaginal smears) to confirm the sexual rest phase (anestrus); hormonal induction of heat by PMCG and hCG; monitoring the induced heat by the vaginal smear method (Giemsa stain); and a breeding of female dogs in estrus confirmation of the pregnancy of the mated female dogs (palpation and ultrasound) by comparing the vaginal smears of the treated female dogs with those of the control female dogs. At the end of our study, the results obtained were encouraging, since we succeeded in obtaining the appearance of heat in 60% of the treated female dogs.

Diagnosis of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Study Using CL Detect™ Dipstick, Direct Smear and Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods.

In most of the endemic areas, the detection of CL is based on searching for amastigotes using the direct smear method. Since expert microscopists are not usually available in every laboratory, false diagnoses are a disaster that happens. Therefore, the aim of current research is to evaluate the validity of the CL Detect™ Rapid Test (CDRT) for diagnosis CL in comparison to direct smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. A total of 70 patients with skin lesions suspected to be CL were recruited. Skin samples from the lesions were collected and used for direct microscopic examination and the PCR method. Furthermore, the skin sample was collected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the CDRT-based rapid diagnostic test. Of 70 samples, 51 and 35 samples were positive by direct smear examination and the CDRT, respectively. The PCR showed positive results in 59 samples; 50 and 9 samples were identified as Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 68.6% (95% CI 54.11-80.89%) and 100% (95% CI 82.35-100%). When the results of CDRT were compared to the microscopic examinations, an agreement of 77.14% was seen between the CDRT and microscopic examination. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity were 59.32% (95% CI 45.75-71.93%) and 100% (95% CI 71.5-100%) when the CDRT was compared to PCR assay (as gold standard) and an agreement (65.71%) was found between CDRT and PCR assay. As the CDRT is simple, rapid, and does not require great proficiency, it is recommended for use in the detection of CL caused by L. major or L. tropica as a diagnostic method, especially in areas with limited access to expert microscopists.

Effect of methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide on the anticorrosion and mechanical properties of epoxy‐based coating

AbstractGraphene oxide has a wide application prospect as filler due to its excellent physical blocking, coating reinforcement, and cathodic protection properties. However, graphene oxide is highly susceptible to agglomerative reunions. Three types of anti‐corrosion coatings were prepared on 5083 Al alloy by a simple smearing method. The coatings are based on neat epoxy resin by introducing different amounts of graphene oxide, methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber, and methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/ graphene oxide fillers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide fillers enhance the thermal stability of the epoxy resin‐based coatings. The SEM morphology shows the well‐dispersed methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide in the coating. The 2 and 1 wt% methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide coating exhibits excellent mechanical properties and outstanding anti‐corrosion properties, respectively. At 1 wt%, the OCP of the coating is −0.21 V. Additionally, the coating exhibits great anti‐corrosion performance after immersion for 196 h. Compared to the pristine coating and methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber coatings, the methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide coatings show better thermal stability, mechanical properties and anti‐corrosion properties. The methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber fillers degrade the thermal stability and anti‐corrosion protection and do not affect mechanical properties. Compared with graphene oxide coatings, the surface of methyl methacrylate/nitrile rubber/graphene oxide coatings is smoother with better dispersion, possessing better mechanical and anti‐corrosion properties though only a fewer amounts of graphene oxide were filled in epoxy resin. The better corrosion resistance of the coating can be attributed to the synergistic effect of a physical barrier and a coulomb block.

Glueball spectroscopy in lattice QCD using gradient flow

Removing ultraviolet noise from the gauge fields is necessary for glueball spectroscopy in lattice QCD. It is known that the Yang-Mills gradient flow method is an alternative approach instead of link smearing or link fuzzing in various aspects. In this work we study the application of the gradient flow technique to the construction of the extended glueball operators. We examine a simple application of the gradient flow method, which has some problems in glueball mass calculations at large flow time because of its nature of diffusion in space-time. To avoid this problem, the spatial links are evolved by the ``spatial gradient flow'', that is defined to restrict the diffusion to spatial directions only. We test the spatial gradient flow in calculations of glueball two-point functions and Wilson loops as a new smearing method, and then discuss its efficiency in comparison with the original gradient flow method and the conventional method. Furthermore, to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed method, we determine the masses of the three lowest-lying glueball states, corresponding to the $0^{++}$, $2^{++}$ and $0^{-+}$ glueballs, in the continuum limit in the pure Yang-Mills theory.

Echinococcosis of animals and humans as a socially dangerous problem in a densely populated subject of the North Caucasus

Echinococcosis of animals and humans as a socially dangerous problem in a densely populated subject of the North Caucasus

Intestinal parasitic infection associated with risk factors among school aged children in Girei, Adamawa state, Nigeria

Infections with Intestinal helminths have long been recognized as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. School-aged children are known to be particularly susceptible to illness caused by these pathogens. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Intestinal helminthes among school-aged children in Girei Local Government Area. From January to February 2021, 384 randomly selected primary school children within the ages of 5 to 14 years from six primary schools participated in a cross-sectional survey primary school children within the ages of 5 to 14 years from six primary schools participated in a cross-sectional survey, A systematic questionnaire was designed and used to collect data on risk factors related to Intestinal parasitic infections from the children's caregivers. The Smear Method was used to analyse the stool samples. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Of the total 384 samples examined, helminths were found in 47.7% (183/384) of the cases. Others include: Ascaris lumbricoides 39.3%, hookworm in 30.6 %, Trichuris trichiura in 20.2% and coinfection 9.8 %. The severity of the infection ranged from mild to moderate. Failing to wash hands before eating (0.035, P<0.05), failure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating (0.04329; P<0.005), type of toilets used (0.00328; P<0.005), and the presence of faeces around home environment (0.00419; P<0.005) and not wearing of footwear (0.01529; P>0.005) were all significant risk factors for the infections. To eliminate Intestinal helminths in the area, preventive chemotherapy and adequate sanitation measures should be promoted.

Clinico-Etiopathogenesis of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Iron Deficiency in Severe Acute Malnutrition Children: A Tertiary Care Hospital Experience from Central India.

In severe acute malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency as well as protein energy malnutrition is a major obstacle to growth & development. Iron deficiency dominates the spectrum of nutritional anemia. After taking informed consent, 211 SAM children and 211 age-and sex-matched healthy children with normal nutritional status were enrolled for the study. MUAC was used to diagnose SAM. A 5-part automated hematoanalyzer was used to measure the complete blood count and red cell indices, and the peripheral smear method to determine the red cell morphology. We measured serum ferritin, Vitamin B12, and folic acid using the ELISA method. Compared to controls, children with SAM had significantly lower red cell indices, platelet counts, and white cell counts. The most common clinical symptoms seen in SAM children were diarrhea, pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, and acute respiratory infection. Children with SAM are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency and B12 deficiency. Severe vitamin B12 deficiency was more frequently associated with severe anemia. The severe anemia in SAM children constantly changes the body's defense mechanism, affecting the haematopoiesis. In this study, haematological indices are recommended for predicting severity of anemia, and hematopoietic changes are described, in order to improve anticipatory care and outcome in children with SAM.

Prevalence of Tri­cho­monas gallinae with molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis in domestic pigeons using ITS1-5.8s rRNA-ITS2 gene in Alborz province, Iran

Avian trichomonosis is an important parasitic disease throughout the world caused by the protozoan Trichomonas gallinae, commonly seen in pigeons and wild birds. Lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract (beak and crop) are complications of this disease. Currently, the diagnosis of this organism is made using laboratory methods including direct smear, culture medium and molecular methods. The aim of the present study was to survey the prevalence of T. gallinae in pigeons of Alborz province, Iran through molecular and phylogenetic identification using ITS1-5.8s rRNA-ITS2 gene. A total of 87 samples were collected from domestic pigeons from May to September 2019. The samples were taken directly from the mouth and larynx using an oral swab. Out of 87 collected samples, 28 (32.18 %) were positive using direct smear, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Based on the results, the size of the amplification product of this gene was 372 base pairs. The results of this study were analysed using a phylogenetic tree and Neighbour-Joining (NJ) method. The present study showed high prevalence of T. gallinae in pigeons. Two types of T. gallinae genotypes, A and B, were found in pigeons. Also, the phylogenetic analysis of ITS1-5.8s rRNA-ITS2 sequences from positive samples, showed high coverage with sequences present in the GenBank.

Accuracy of visual inspection, cytology and colposcopy in the diagnosis of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Introduction: Cervical cancer is still one of the leading causes of cancer and mortality in women, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Normally, the prevention of its occurrence is done through efficient screening and treatment programs for high-grade epithelial lesions, which are pre-malignant lesions. Cheaper diagnostic techniques ensure greater access to women, which can prevent a large number of cancer cases worldwide. Objective:The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of visual inspection either with acetic acid or with Lugol’s iodine, cervical cytology and colposcopy in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3. Methods: This is a study of diagnostic accuracy. We evaluated 115 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion confirmed by biopsy, 54 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 61 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3, from January 2016 to December 2018 at the Lower Genital Tract Pathology and Colposcopy Service of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. A comparative analysis of the visual inspection, Pap smear and colposcopy diagnostic methods was performed. Results: The average age was 33.1 years (standard deviation=9.83) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 cases and 35.2 years (standard deviation=7.97) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3. In the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 group, visual inspection tests were positive for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 98.1% of the cases with acetic acid and 94.4% with Lugol’s iodine. Colposcopy identified a probable high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 94.4% of the cases, while cytology only in 42.6%. In the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 group, the visual inspection tests were positive for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 91.8% of the cases with acetic acid and 95.1% with Lugol’s iodine. Colposcopy identified a probable high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 93.5% of the cases, while cytology in 65.6%. Conclusion: Visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine, and colposcopy test were more accurate for the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3 than through cytopathology.

Occurrence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala

This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 155 cats were included in this study. Faecal samples collected from all the cats were subjected examination by direct smear method and floatation by Sheather’s sugar solution. Of 155 faecal samples examined, oocysts were found in 28 cats (18.06 per cent). Among these, 12 were collected from cats with signs of gastrointestinal diseases and 16 from cats which are apparently healthy with firm faeces. Mixed infection with Cystoisospora spp and Toxocara, Ancylostoma and Cystoisospora were also detected in three (1.94 per cent) and one (0.65 per cent) cat respectively. Various risk factors associated with the infection were also studied. Prevalence was found to be higher in cats less than six months old. Gender and breed were not affected the prevalence. This study demonstrates that cystoisosporosis is common in cats.

Differential diagnosis of theileriosis through blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction in small ruminants from Pakistan.

Ovine and caprine theileriosis is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease, caused by Theileria spp., responsible for heavy economic losses in terms of high mortality and morbidity rates. Diagnosis of ovine theileriosis is primarily based on clinical symptoms, microscopic screening of stained blood smears, and lymph node biopsy smears, but the limitations of these detection methods against Theileria spp. infection limits their specificity. To overcome these limitations, the current study reports the differential diagnosis of theileriosis through a blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in small ruminants from Pakistan. The study was conducted on 1,200 apparently healthy small ruminants (737 sheep and 463 goats). First, blood smears were screened for the presence of Theileria piroplasms in red blood cells. Second, PCR amplification based on 18S rRNA gene was performed by using primers specific to Theileria spp. Out of the 1,200 samples of examined blood smears, 100 animals (8.33%) were found positive for Theileria species, which showed intra-erythrocytic bodies in the form of dot and comma shapes. Amplification of the isolated DNA from randomly collected blood samples of 737 sheep and 463 goats showed that an amplicon size of 1,098 bp was positive for Theileria spp. In total, 315 out of the 1,200 small ruminants examined in this study were found positive for Theileria spp. DNA through PCR amplification. Notably, out of the 885 blood samples negative by PCR amplification, only 15 blood samples were found positive by the blood smear test. Conversely, 230 blood samples that tested negative in the smear technique produced a specific band through PCR amplification. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity rates were 26.98% and 98.31% for the blood smear method and 73.01% and 100% for the PCR assay, respectively. Our finding suggests that PCR is the gold standard method compared to the conventional method of smear examination for the diagnosis of ovine and caprine theileriosis in Pakistan.

РАСПРОСТРАНЕННОСТЬ ОКСИУРОЗА У ТЕРРАРИУМНЫХ РЕПТИЛИЙ

Recently, more and more pets are reptiles, which can be carriers of a wide range of internal parasites: protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, trematodes. In private zoo collections and zoos, the mortality rate from helminthiasis is about 12%. The most common helminths of reptiles are oxyura. The article presents the results of studies of helminth infestation of terrarium reptiles from private zoo collections. The research was carried out in the laboratory of the Department of "Morphology, Pathology of Animals and Biology" of the Saratov State Agrarian University named after N.I. Vavilov. Coprological samples from 49 different reptiles were selected for diagnosis. In the work, fecal samples were studied by the flotation method and the native smear method to identify parasite eggs in the most common species of terrarium reptiles. The intensity (AI) and the extensiveness of the invasion (EI) were determined. Also, the animals were subjected to a daily clinical examination: the appetite of the animals, water consumption, and the regularity of defecation were evaluated. Before microscopic studies, organoleptic parameters were determined: quantity, color, shape, consistency, odor, presence of impurities (undigested food residues, mucus, blood, etc. leftovers). As a result of the study, it was revealed that all individuals of the examined green iguanas and the patterned runner were infected with oxyuras (EI was 100%), which indicates that there are favorable conditions for the development of pathogens of oxyuratosis in the external environment and high susceptibility of animals of this species. As a result of the study, eggs of Oxyurida sp. were found in 23 individuals out of 49 examined. The intensity of oxyuratous invasion varied from 1 to 69.4 eggs of nematodes in the field of view of the microscope, the extent of invasion was 46.9%.

MALDI-TOF MS Identification of some Clinically-Relevant Filamentous Fungi with the Direct Smear Method, a Simple Sample Preparation Method.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a powerful technique for the identification of microorganisms. The technique normally requires a sample preparation procedure before instrumental analysis, which can be somewhat labor-intensive when numbers of samples are large. The direct smear method, in which samples are directly smeared on the sample plates and subsequently subjected to instrumental analyses, can save time and is less labor-intensive. However, the method has rarely been tested on filamentous fungi, although it has been successfully used in the identification of bacteria and yeasts. In the present study, we examined the method using clinically-collected filamentous fungi. Three hundred forty-eight isolates of filamentous fungi representing 9 species collected from body fluids of patients were analyzed on the VITEK MS version 3.0 system, a popular commercial MALDI-TOF MS system, using the direct smear method. For those misidentified or unidentified, the samples were retested. All fungal species were determined through DNA sequencing. Among 334 isolates that were included in the database of the VITEK system, 286 (85.6%) samples were correctly identified. After retesting, the rate of correct identification increased to 91.0%. Aspergillus fumigatus exhibited a 95.2% rate of correct identification before retesting, whereas Aspergillus niger showed the rate at only 46.5% (58.1% even with retesting). The direct smear method could be used in the identification of filamentous fungi found in body fluids of patients by MALDI-TOF MS at good rates of correct identification. The method is simple and time-saving, and deserves further evaluation.