Total Prevalence Of Infection Research Articles

Impact of ultrastructural and molecular identified Babesiosoma spp. in both Egyptian freshwater fishes (common carp and African catfish): Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological findings.

Babesiosomes are apicomplexan parasites of both marine and freshwater fish species. In this study, we recorded the prevalence of Babesiosoma spp in two Egyptian freshwater fish species; the common carp and the African catfish with full pathological evaluation of the diseased condition, hematological and biochemical analysis of some parameters with exact recognition of the parasite with different methods. Two hundred and forty fish blood samples from Al-Sharqiya and Al-Ismailia governorates from August 2022 to January 2023 followed by blood film examinations, performing electron microscopy and molecular detection of the parasite via polymerase chain reaction. The total infection prevalence was 63.75% with a higher prevalence observed among African catfish (42.5%) than Common carp (21.25%). Regarding hematologic parameters, the obtained results showed a significant decrease in the hematocrit values and a significant increase in the total leukocyte and lymphocyte values in both infected fish species. The serum ferritin, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were also significantly increased. However, the total iron binding capacity was significantly decreased. There was also a significant increase in the total serum bilirubin in the examined fish, all at (p < 0.001). Histopathologically, the lesions were more intense in the African catfish than the common carp but generally, the infected fish showed many changes with the gills being severely affected with pronounced hyperplasia of secondary lamellae with fusion and telangiectasis. The spleen, heart, and kidney are also affected. Serious adverse effects on the health status of previously examined fishes infected with Babesia spp. were observed and detected by several diagnostic and descriptive tools. Histopathological, hematological, and biochemical studies give an idea of the extent of these changes which are largely fatal affecting the economic system depending on the fish industry.

Infections with Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Cysticercus pisiformis, Micipsella numidica and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in European brown hares (Lepus europeus L.) from Bulgaria

During the period 2009–2016, brown hares (Lepus europeus L.) from different regions of Bulgaria were investigated for infections with liver parasites as well as for seroprevalence of protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Three helminth species were found in the liver: one trematode – Dicrocoelium dendriticum, one cestode – larval form of Taenia pisiformis – Cysticercus pisiformis and one nema­tode – Micipsella numidica. Dicrocoeliasis was found in all parts of the country with infected hares originating mainly from the western regions. The total prevalence of infection with D. dendriticum was 10.59%. The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 184, 26.67 on the average. The total prevalence of infection with C. pisiformis was 16.8%. The prevalence of infection was highest among hares from the southern parts of the country, and no cysticercosis was registered in the western parts. The extent of infestation with cysticerci was different – from single cysticerci on the omentum or serosa of some organs in the abdominal cavity to innumerable ones that affected also the organs in the thoracic cavity. However, cases in which the animals were slightly affected, predominated. The total prevalence of infection with M. numidica was 5.31%, and the intensity of infection varied between 1 and 6 parasites in one animal. The nematodiasis was established mainly in hares from southern Bulgaria. The total seroprevalence of T. gondii was 6.15% and the protozoan-positive animals originated from three districts: Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, and Burgas. The current studies also showed that the prevalence of D. dendriticum infection among animals increased with age. No correlation was observed between prevalence of infection with C. pisiformis and M. numidica and host age. No correlation was found between the prevalence of the helminth infections and sex of the animals.

An assessment of COVID-19 infection after vaccination amongst health-care workers at a tertiary care centre, Kodagu, Karnataka

Background: The equitable COVID-19 vaccination is an effective tool to end the pandemic globally. Many studies have reported, namely, in the western population, vaccination protected against the severe form of COVID-19 infection. Aims and Patients: To estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 infection amongst health-care professional's post vaccination at a Tertiary Care Centre in Kodagu, Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 336 health-care workers in a Tertiary Care Centre Kodagu from November 2021 to January 2022. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data using a semi structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Excel and analysed using Epi-info version 7.2. Results: Of 336 study participants, females were 195 (58.04%), and males were 141 (41.96%). The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 25.80 (4.67) years. The total prevalence of infection was 83 (24.4%); after the first dose of the vaccine was 22 (6.52%), and after the second dose was 61 (21.73%). The total number of hospital admissions after the first and second dose was 1 and 9, respectively. None of them required intensive care in the hospital. Conclusions: The COVID-19 infection reported after vaccination amongst health care workers was minimal. None of them required intensive care in the hospital.

New host and locality records of helminths' infection of seven lizards from Morocco.

Morocco has a great diversity of reptiles; more than 26% of the herpetofauna species are considered to be endemic. Nevertheless, there is little information available on helminth parasites of Moroccan lizards. The purpose of this article is to establish a helminth list using non-invasive methods for natural populations of seven lizard species: Acanthodactylus maculatus, Chalcides mionecton, Chalcides montanus, Chalcides polylepis, Quedenfeldtia moerens, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, and Tarentola mauritanica. For each species, prevalence and intensity of infection were given as well as their relationship to some determinant parameters (sex, age class, size, altitude, and seasons). Four species of nematodes, Parapharyngodon micipsae, Pharyngodon mamillatus, Spauligodon auziensis, Thelandros alatus, and unassigned Spauligodon were found. Mean helminth intensity for the seven lizard species was 7.3 ± 16.2 SD (range = 1-92 in infected lizards), with total infection prevalence of 5.6%. Mixed infections were observed in Chalcides montanus and Chalcides polylepis co-infected by Pharyngodon mamillatus and Spauligodon sp. Furthermore, the intensity of infection by nematodes were significantly different among the seven studied species. The nematode infection in Chalcides mionecton were related to sex, host size, and altitude; in Chalcides polylepis to the host age; in Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus to elevation, age, and host size; and in Tarentola Mauritanica to age, body size, seasons, and altitude. In conclusion, our study provides data about nine new host and locality records and the effect of some determinant factors on host parasitism.

Identification of the Nosema spp., a microsporidian parasite isolated from the honey bees (Apis mellifera) and its association with honey bee colony losses in apiaries of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the Nosema species by microscopic and molecular method and its association with honeybee colony losses (Colony Collapse Disorder) in apiaries of Urmia, Northwest of Iran. For this purpose, honeybee samples were collected from 840 colonies kept in 120 apiaries in five different location of Urmia. The specimens were examined for the presence of Nosema spores. After DNA isolation, the 16S rRNA gene was evaluated using multiplex PCR. Total infection prevalence with the microscopic evaluation was 32% while in PCR test was 58.2%. Nosema positive samples were evaluated by PCR sequencing. Based on the results of PCR, all identified cases were N. ceranae. The obtained sequences were transferred to GenBank/NCBI (samples accession numbers MT001887 and MT001893). The results showed the prevalence of Colony Collapse Disorder like symptoms in the studied honeybee colonies were 13.33%. N. ceranae was detected by PCR in 20.28 % of honeybee colonies with Colony Collapse Disorder like signs. Our findings showed that there was a significant relation between Colony Collapse Disorder and presence of N. ceranae. The results of this study concluded that N. ceranae is the only specie that affects the honeybees which may have an important role in the occurrence of collapse of bee families and depopulation of hives in this area.

Prevalence of Hymenolepis spp. in House Mice in Baghdad City, Iraq

The prevalence of house mice (Mus musculus) Hymenolepiasis was determined in Baghdad, Iraq to study the effects of location, sex, and months on the infection rate of Hymenolepis spp. in house mice. Fifty house mice were captured from Abu Ghraib and Al-Ameriya, Baghdad, Iraq and examined for detecting parasites in laboratory in College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad. The total infection prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11 (22%) out of 50 samples, the higher prevalence was 28.57% and found in Abu Ghraib area, while lower was (13.63%) and recorded in Al-Ameriya area. The study revealed that the house mice were infected with two species of Hymenolepis: Hymenolepis nana 4 (8%) and Hymenolepis diminuta 7(14%). The intestinal parasites revealed a significance prevalence value (P&lt;0.05). There was statistical difference in between males and females in parasites infection, in which the higher rate was 8 (27.58%) and recorded in males and the lower was 3 (14.28%) and observed in females. The monthly distribution of confirmed cases over a 9-month period revealed that reported cases of house mice and Hymenolepiasis increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) in autumn (65.44%), followed by winter (15.38%), and summer (13.33%). The findings showed that house mice play an important role in the spread of zoonotic parasitic illnesses to people, as well as attention must pay to public health.

Detection of infection with hydatid cysts in abattoirs animals at Kirkuk governorate, Iraq

During the period from September 2020 to February 2021, the current study was conducted to determine the total prevalence of infection with hydatid cysts disease in the various organs (especially liver, lung, spleen, kidney, heart, and mesentery) of abattoirs animals (sheep, cattle, goats and buffaloes) in Kirkuk governorate and its suburbs. Visual examination and hand-feeling were used to detect and identify the site of infection with hydatid cysts, as well as a microscopic examination was used to determine the fertility of hydatid cysts.&#x0D; A total of 4122 abattoirs animals were examined, including: 1860 sheep, 1550 cattle, 680 goats and 32 buffaloes. The hydatid cysts was found in 133 animal samples (42 sheep, 83 cattle, 6 goats and 2 buffaloes), the total prevalence of infection was 2.25%, 5.35%, 0.88%, 6.25% in sheep, cattle, goats and buffaloes, respectively. The prevalence of infection in females of abattoirs animals was more than in males, which was 0.48%, 1.77% in sheep; 1.48%, 3.87% in cattle; 0.29%, 0.58% in goats, for male and female respectively. While, the prevalence of infection was 6.25% in females of buffaloes compared with their males which didn’t infected.&#x0D; The results showed that the liver is the most organ of the animal’s body to be infected with hydatid cyst, the prevalence of infection in the liver of males and females was 63.63%, 44.44% in sheep, 46.66%, 65.21% in cattle, 50.00%, 50.00% in goats and 0.00%, 50.00% in buffaloes, respectively.&#x0D; The infection with fertile hydatid cysts in sheep, especially in livers of females (80.95%) is higher compared with other infections of abattoirs animals, while it was noticed that the highest prevalence of sterile hydatid cysts in the lungs of females cattle (93.33%). In addition, the most cases of calcified hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of females sheep (50.00%) and livers of females cattle (32.14%).

Detection of infection with hydatid cysts in abattoirs animals at Kirkuk governorate, Iraq

During the period from September 2020 to February 2021, the current study was conducted to determine the total prevalence of infection with hydatid cysts disease in the various organs (especially liver, lung, spleen, kidney, heart, and mesentery) of abattoirs animals (sheep, cattle, goats and buffaloes) in Kirkuk governorate and its suburbs. Visual examination and hand-feeling were used to detect and identify the site of infection with hydatid cysts, as well as a microscopic examination was used to determine the fertility of hydatid cysts.&#x0D; A total of 4122 abattoirs animals were examined, including: 1860 sheep, 1550 cattle, 680 goats and 32 buffaloes. The hydatid cysts was found in 133 animal samples (42 sheep, 83 cattle, 6 goats and 2 buffaloes), the total prevalence of infection was 2.25%, 5.35%, 0.88%, 6.25% in sheep, cattle, goats and buffaloes, respectively. The prevalence of infection in females of abattoirs animals was more than in males, which was 0.48%, 1.77% in sheep; 1.48%, 3.87% in cattle; 0.29%, 0.58% in goats, for male and female respectively. While, the prevalence of infection was 6.25% in females of buffaloes compared with their males which didn’t infected.&#x0D; The results showed that the liver is the most organ of the animal’s body to be infected with hydatid cyst, the prevalence of infection in the liver of males and females was 63.63%, 44.44% in sheep, 46.66%, 65.21% in cattle, 50.00%, 50.00% in goats and 0.00%, 50.00% in buffaloes, respectively.&#x0D; The infection with fertile hydatid cysts in sheep, especially in livers of females (80.95%) is higher compared with other infections of abattoirs animals, while it was noticed that the highest prevalence of sterile hydatid cysts in the lungs of females cattle (93.33%). In addition, the most cases of calcified hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of females sheep (50.00%) and livers of females cattle (32.14%).

Tapeworms in Rodents from the Lower Anabar River Basin, with a Review of Species Diversity of Cestodes in Yakutia, Russia.

We aimed to explore the first data on the fauna of cestodes in rodents from the Lower Anabar River Basin situated in extreme north-western Yakutia, Russia and to develop a biological and biogeographical framework for examination of the species diversity of cestodes from Yakutia, which is an important faunal transition zone in the eastern Palaearctic. Field inventory of cestodes from rodents was conducted for the first time in the region of north-western Yakutia. Species diversity, intensity and prevalence of infection were assessed. It was noted a rather high (up to 82.5%) total cestode prevalence in rodents in the extreme north-western area of Yakutia. In Arvicolinae hosts, we collected specimens of six cestode species of four genera and three families. Arostrilepis microtis and Douthittia nordenskioeldi were first collected in voles Lasiopodomys gregalis from Yakutia (new host and geographical records). The zoonotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis was found in the liver of L. gregalis. The list of cestodes from rodents in Yakutia based on review of previous publications and the material obtained in the present study includes 24 species of 16 genera and five families. Out of these, 17 parasitise rodents as adults stage and seven as larvae. The fauna of rodent tapeworms from the south subarctic tundra and pre-tundra larch woodlands of the north-western Yakutia is characterised by relatively impoverished species diversity compared to the fauna of cestodes from the taiga zone of the central Yakutia. The decrease in the species diversity of tapeworms does not affect the total infection prevalence of the definitive hosts, which is relatively high in this region.

Studies on heavy metals and fish health indicators in Malapterurus electricus from Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

The aquatic ecosystem is constantly being disturbed by rising levels of different classes of pollutants of human origin in the form of urban, agricultural and industrial discharges. In this study, the health of fish Malapterurus electricus was examined, to serve as a reflection of the impact of anthropogenic disturbances in the Lekki lagoon. Eighty six samples of the fish were analysed for parasitic infections, heavy metals, microorganisms in their internal and external body parts while the proximate composition and fish condition factor were also determined using conventional methods. One parasite species, a cestode Electrotaenia malapteruri was found to infect the fish. Total parasite load was eighty five with a total prevalence of infection of 36%. Elements detected in sediment were of the order of Al>Fe>Mn>Pb>Cr>Zn>Cd>Ba>Cu>Ni while in water, it is Mn>Fe>Zn>Ba>Cd>Cr>Al>Cu>Ni>Pb. Metals analysed in the fish tissues were generally low and below regulatory limits. In the proximate analysis, moisture content has a value of 80.7%, while ash content had a value of 1.26%. Eight bacterial and two fungal species were isolated from the fish. The condition factor of fish varied between 1 and 2. The study provides valuable information for monitoring and management of heavy metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem.

Borrelia miyamotoi infection in Apodemus spp. mice populating an urban habitat (Warsaw, Poland)

The two of three species of city-inhabiting (Warsaw, Poland) Apodemus spp. mice were showed to be infected with Borrelia miyamotoi, spirochete bacterium considered to be a tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) disease causative agent. The pathogen infection was ascertained based on bacterium DNA presence in a blood (obtained from the lateral tail vein) of the mice, using the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The B. miyamotoi carriers populated not only green spaces situated in the suburban areas but also recreational parks and lawns in the city centre proper. Moreover, we found no significant differences in the infection rate depending on mouse species. The total prevalence of infection at the level of 5.6% suggests the potential role of urban-settled rodents in the spreading of the tick-borne zoonosis, which pose high risk to public health.

Prevalence of the nematodes Eustrongylides exisus Jägerskiöld, 1909, – larvae (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) infection in the Rutilis rutilis, linnaeus 1758 and the seasonal dynamics of the infection in the waters of the Dnipro-Buh estuari in southern Ukrai

In this study, we determined the prevalence and seasonal dynamic of the infection of the Rutilis rutilis, Lіnnaeus 1758 with the nematode Eustrongylides excisus. The fish was caught in the waters of the Dnipro-Buh estuary in seven sample collection sites between 2016 and 2019. They all underwent ichthyopathological examination. Parasites, found during examination, undergone microscopy to determine their taxonomy. Overall 595 specimens were obtained. The mean prevalence of infection over entire study period (2016–2019) was 17.4 %. Ichthyopathological examination of the roach caught in the waters of the Dnipro-Buh estuary revealed the infection with larvae E. excises nematode. The parasitic larvae were found in the muscles of the ventral abdominal wall of the roach. There was more than two-fold difference in the prevalence of infection between sample collection sites – from 12 % in site 5 near Sofiivka to 28 % in site 3 near the village Oleksandrivka over the study period in 2016–2019. The total prevalence of infection in roaches in the Dnipro-Buh estuary was 17.4 %. Seasonal changes were not statistically significant and ranged from 12.8 % in summer to 20.1 % in spring. Annual changes suggested a possible upward trend, but more observations are needed to confirm it. Аnnual changes were not statistically significant. The prevalence of infection changed throughout the year: there were two peaks in spring (20.1 %) and autumn (18.3 %). In summer (12.8 %) and winter (15.1 %) the prevalence of infection was lower. Morphologically, the E. excisus larvae found in roaches were different compared to those found in predatory fishes: they had more pale color and were smaller in length. E. excisus is a prevalent infection of roach in Dnipro-Buh estuary. Considering seemingly increasing prevalence of E.excisus infection, further studies are required to understand a pathophysiology of E.excisus infection in mammals and humans, since data remain limited.

Prevalence, diagnosis and experimental challenge of Dermocystidium sp. infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Egypt

This study confirms the systemic position of Dermocystidium sp. in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and intestine). Our work reveals an entire approach for Dermocystidium sp. including prevalence, diagnosis, spores multiplication, experimental infection and histopathological examination. A total of 1388 Nile tilapia (766 cultured fish and 622 wild fish) were collected from May 2012 to May 2014 and screened for Dermocystidium infection. The total prevalence of infection was 35.5% and was higher in wild (45%) than cultured fish (27.8%). The highest rates of infection were recorded in the largest fish and in winter. Several different techniques were employed to detect and identify Dermocystidium sp. from the internal organs of infected hosts including macroscopic examination, microscopic observation of tissue squashes, histological examination and in vitro culture. Infected fish were sluggish and suffered from severe ulceration and black discoloration of the skin. The post-mortem lesion included dark-grayish nodules on internal organs, particularly the liver. Squash preparations from the internal organs revealed spherical spores (signet-ring shape), which is characteristic for Dermocystidium sp. The spores showed multiplication in the freshly dead host tissue. Our study demonstrated new successful attempts for in vitro culture of Dermocystidium either on Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium after adjusting pH of media to 3.5 or on Sabouraud's dextrose agar media enriched with duck decoction 10%. Experimental infection revealed that intra-gastric route was more pathogenic than the immersion route. In histopathological sections from infected fish tissue following natural and experimental infection, spherical spores of Dermocystidium were embedded in the affected tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of Dermocystidium infection in wild Nile tilapia in Egypt.

Gastrointestinal helminths of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) from Egypt

Background: Despite the fact that Egypt contains a large number of lizard species, yet there is little knowledge recorded regarding the helminth fauna infecting this group of hosts. A parasitological study on gastrointestinal helminths of lizards was carried out during Summer (August) and Autumn (September and October), 2014 and 2015, respectively. Objective: This study aims to update information on helminth parasites that infect lizards in Egypt. Material and Methods: Seven species of lizards, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus Heyden, 1827; Trapelus mutabilis Merrem, 1820 (Agamidae); Tarentola mauritanica mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Phyllodactylidae); Tropiocolotes tripolitanus Peters, 1880 (Gekkonidae); Acanthodactylus boskianus Daudin, 1802 (Lacertidae); Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 (Chamaeleonidae); and Varanus niloticus Linnaeus, 1766 (Varanidae), were collected from several parts of Egypt. These hosts were dissected and examined for gastrointestinal helminth. The collected helminths were fixed in 70% ethanol, stained with carmine and examined by using an Olympus CX31 microscope and a Zeiss Stemi 2000-C microscope. Results: The total prevalence of infection with helminths was 35.9%. The study recorded 16 species of helminths recognised as: six species of digenea [Prosthodendrium obtusum (Looss, 1896) Bhalerao, 1936, Pleurogenoides tener (Olsson, 1876) Travassos, 1921, Anchitrema sanguineum (Sonsino, 1894) Looss, 1899, Cyclorchis varani Price, 1936, Mesostephanus milvi Yamaguti, 1939 and Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) Looss, 1899], four species of cestodes [three adults, Oochostrica mutabili Morsyet al., 2013, Duthiersia fimbriata Diesing, 1854 and one unidentified cestode and one tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp.] and six species of nematodes [Parapharyngodon micipsae Seurat, 1917, Pharyngodon inermicauda Baylis, 1923, Abbreviata leptosome Gervais, 1848, Thubunaea pudica Seurat, 1914, Tanqua tiara (von Linstow, 1879) Blanchard, 1904 and Spinicauda sonsinoi (Linstow, 1894) Travassos, 1920]. Conclusion: This study documents 10 new host and 10 new locality records in Egypt and distinguishes between studied material and reported descriptions. These findings add significantly to the present information on helminths infecting lizards in Egypt.

Guppy (Poecilia) Poeciliidae fish naturally infected with Lernaea cyprinacea parasites (Linnaeus 1758) in KSA

Background: The ornamental fish guppy (Poeciliareticulata) is a small colorful tropical cyprinid teleost fish. Lernaeacyprinacea (Anchor worm) are worldwide, crustacean copepod parasites that cause disease and mortality in several fish species of cultured or natural populations, especially wild-caught and pond-raised species of Poecilia. This study may be considered as a novel report from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Objective: The present study is an investigation of Lernaea isolates infecting apparently healthy Poecilia reticulate from KSA. Material and Methods: Guppy fish (Poeciliareticulata) were purchased two weeks prior to experiments. They were examined for parasitic infection and allowed to breed in the laboratory. They were observed for 15 days for appearance of infection by Lernaea spp. larva and adult parasites. The copepod specimens were removed by forceps, from different parts of the infected fish. Specimens were fixed in 70% alcohol, cleared in 90% lactic acid, mounted,and microscopically examined to identify the morphological features of L cyprinacea. Results: After 15 days L cyprinacea were detected in the ventral, anal and caudal fins of several P. reticulata. Intense focal inflammation and hemorrhage was easily observed at the attachment site, which appeared red and ulcerated. Total prevalence of infection was 68.1%. The prevalence of infection in females (79.3%) was greater than in males (33.3%). Conclusion: P.reticulatamay beconsidered as a newly recorded host of L. cyprinaceafrom KSA

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies and Primary Infection among Women and Infants in Iran: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus infection varies between 40% and 100% worldwide. Different studies carried out in Iran indicate this variation in this country. It is important to estimate the total infection prevalence using a reliable method such as meta- analysis in order to be applied by policymakers. This study aims to estimate the IgG and IgM seroprevalences of CMV infection among Iranian women and neonates. Method: We selected eligible articles for final meta- analysis by searching the national and international databases, excluding duplicates and irrelevant papers from primarily identified studies after abstract/full text review, implementing exclusion/inclusion criteria and quality assessment. Standard error of the prevalence was calculated according to binomial distribution formula. Based on the degree of heterogeneity, fixed or random effects models were applied for estimating the pooled prevalences. Results: In this study, 16 papers providing 20 evidences of CMV prevalence in Iran entered in the meta- analysis. CMV IgG and IgM seroprevalences as well as primary infection rate (95% confidence interval) among pregnant women were 92.8% (90.6 - 94.9), 6.4% (2.8 - 9.9) and 1.1% (0.7 - 1.5) respectively. CMV IgM seroprevalence among neonates were 0.6% (0.09 - 1.2), while CMV IgG and CMV IgM seroprevalences among non-pregnant women were 78.4% (70 - 86.8) and 4.6% (1.5 - 7.6) respectively. Conclusions: This meta- analysis showed that the prevalence of CMV infection among studied population is relatively high. Therefore, mortality, complications, anomalies and injuries among fetuses, neonates and immunocompromized patients can be partially related to the CMV infection.

Description of new types of sphaeractinomyxon actinospores (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) from marine tubificid oligochaetes, with a discussion on the validity of the tetraspora and the endocapsa as actinospore collective group names.

Ten new types of sphaeractinomyxon actinospores are morphologically and molecularly described from the coelomic cavity of two marine oligochaete hosts, Limnodriloides agnes (Hrabě, 1967) and Tubificoides pseudogaster (Dahl, 1960), from Aveiro estuary, Portugal. The smallest sphaeractinomyxon type measured 17μm (length) × 19μm (width) × 19μm (apical diameter), whereas the largest type measured 61μm × 76μm × 80μm. While considering the 10 types of sphaeractinomyxon, it was found that the number of spores developing inside pansporocysts varied between 1, 2, 4, and 8. The total prevalence of infection was of 19% for the two host species, with a maximum recorded for spring and summer (25-26%). While considering each type of sphaeractinomyxon individually, it was found that the prevalence values ranged between 0.3 and 1.7%. All described sphaeractinomyxons were most similar to Myxobolus species. The validity of the tetraspora and endocapsa collective group names is discussed.

Detection of Bacterial Infections in Some Red Sea Fish in Hurghada

Detection of Bacterial Infections in Some Red Sea Fish in Hurghada Marine fish are exposed to many diseases, especially bacterial one, where bacteria play the main role in occurrence of the disease and causing high economic losses in proposed marine aquaculture sector in Red Sea governorate and hence our study carried out in order to isolate and identified the bacterial isolates affecting economic marine fishes in Egypt as well as evaluate the effect of seasonal variation. In our study 300 samples from different five fish species include Siganus rivulatus, Mulloidicthys vanicolensis, Hipposcarus harid, Pterois volitans and Picasso trigger fish (Rhinecanthus assasi) from the Red Sea along Hurghada city coastline. 82 isolates from naturally examined fish species were obtained as following:18 isolates from Siganus rivulatus fish, 19 from Mulloidicthys vanicolensis, 31 from Hipposcarus harid, and 10 from Picasso trigger. The isolation in culture media revealed that 36 (12 %) of the infected fishes were positive for V. harveyi, 8 (2.66%) for V. arahemolyticum, 6 (2%) for V. anguillarum, 14 (4.66%) for P. damseale, 7 (2.33%) for V. furnissii and11 (3.66%) for T. maritmum. For vibrio spp. and P. damselae the highest total prevalence of infection was recorded in summer season (45.06%) while the lowest was recorded in winter (4.86%). Contrariwise the highest total prevalence of infection for T. maritmum was recorded in winter (8.53%) and the lowest was recorded summer (0 %). The former bacterial isolates were re-isolated in pure culture from experimentally infected fish.

Occurrence and HAT-RAPD analysis of gastrointestinal helminths in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Phayao province, northern Thailand.

The present study determined the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal helminths in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) between November 2012 and August 2013. One hundred and twenty domestic chickens were purchased from villages in four districts of Phayao province; Mae Chai, Dok Khamtai, Chun and Chiang Kham. Morphological differences were used to identify the helminth species, and HAT-RAPD technique was used to differentiate among closely related species. The results revealed that the total prevalence of infection was 99.2%. Cestode and nematode infections showed the highest prevalence in rainy season, while trematode infections were low and only found in hot season. The species and their prevalence were: Ascaridia galli (50.8%), Heterakis gallinarum (86.7%), Prosthogonimus macrorchis (1.7%), Echinostoma revolutum (0.8%), Raillietina echinobothrida (48.3%), Raillietina tetragona (57.5%), Raillietina cesticillus (12.5%), Raillietina sp. (35.8%), Cotugnia chiangmaii (14.2%) and Cotugnia sp. (32.5%). The prevalence of helminth infections did not differ significantly between male and female chickens. HAT-RAPD analysis, the specific fragment of 400 and 250 bp indicated that Raillietina sp. and Cotugnia sp. found, respectively, differ from other closely related species. This study has confirmed that HAT-RAPD technique can be used to differentiate among related species combined with morphological observations.

The three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) infection with Schistocephalus solidus in Hel marina (Puck Bay, Baltic Sea, Poland)

Abstract Parasitic relations between animals are very common in wild nature. In this paper, we studied levels of infection in three-spined stickleback with plerocercoids of Schistocephalus solidus from Puck Bay (Baltic Sea, Poland). The total prevalence of infection was 54.2%, while proportion of infected individuals was significantly higher for females than for males. The body width was found to be significantly positively correlated with the number and the weight of parasites. In spite of the increasing deterioration of the Baltic Sea ecosystem by excessive eutrophication and hypoxia, lower prevalence of infection compared to previous published data indicates that there are likely other factors than pollution affecting the life cycle of parasites and the level of parasitism.