Viable Cysts Research Articles

Distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in the modern sediments from the coastal aquaculture area and its adjacent oceanic shelf in southeast China

Changes in nutrient loading due to coastal aquaculture and the targeted expansion of monitoring programs over the past few decades have amply demonstrated a marked increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs). In this study, viable dinoflagellate cyst composition and assemblages were investigated by evaluating and classifying their distribution patterns in surface sediments of the Fujian aquaculture coastal region of southeast China. The surface sediment at 5 stations during the spring and summer of 2019 to classify the dinoflagellate cysts present and identified 36 species representing six known and three uncertain taxa groups. The highest cyst was recorded at coastal station P11 in the spring (744.7 cysts g−1 DW), while the lowest cyst was observed at coastal station P5 in spring (50.9 cysts g−1 DW). The number and abundance of the heterotrophic species were greater than the autotrophic species, with the highest species volume belonging to the protoperidinioid group. We also detected potentially harmful algae bloom cysts that hold the potential to form their initial blooms in the sediments. It is important to note that six dinoflagellate cysts were found in the waters along the Fujian coast, as compared to historical data. Although the abundance of these cysts was not high, their presence indicates a potentially grave risk for toxic red tides. More alarmingly, these results suggest that seedbeds may trigger future blooms and outbreaks of toxic species in the present study area.

РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ ЦИСТ ЖАБРОНОГОГО РАЧКА ARTEMIA В СОСТАВЕ ГРУНТОВ ГИПЕРГАЛИННЫХ ВОДОЕМОВ АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ НА ПРИМЕРЕ ОЗЕР КУЧУКСКОЕ И БОЛЬШОЕ ЯРОВОЕ

The results of studies of bottom Artemia cysts in Kuchukskoe Lake and Bolshoe Yarovoe Lake of the Altai Territory in 2020 are presents. Artemia cysts at the bottom of lakes were observed all year. This number depended on the type of soil. The biomass of bottom cysts in Kuchukskoe Lake was 154.2 tons in spring, of which available and externally-whole – from 11.8 to 25.2 tons. Bottom Artemia cysts are not available on 27% of the lake area in Kuchukskoe Lake due to the high salinity of the water and salt precipitation. The viability of cysts from shallow bottom areas was 8.9% in spring. In Kuchukskoe Lake the main role in the formation of first generation Artemia in spring is played by cysts from accumulations on the coast, washed away by the runoff of melt water. The deep water of Bolshoe Yarovoe Lake determines the peculiarities of the temperature regime in spring, which prevents the rise of Artemia cysts from the bottom from depths of more than 7.0 m. Significant silt deposits at the bottom of the lake are an aggressive environment for cysts, which is shown by the presence of different group of quality: externally-whole, with defective chorion, gray or black color. The biomass of bottom cysts in Bolshoe Yarovoe Lake was 38934 tons in autumn of 2020, which exceeds the reproductive capacity of the Artemia population in one year. This proves the long-term period of accumulation of cysts at the bottom and their incomplete participation in the formation of the Artemia first generation in spring. The maximum hatching of nauplius from bottom cysts in spring from a depth of more than 9.0 m was 16%, from a depth of 8.0 m – 26%.

Giardia intestinalis thymidine kinase is a high-affinity enzyme crucial for DNA synthesis and an exploitable target for drug discovery

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the unicellular parasite Giardia intestinalis, for which metronidazole is the main treatment option. The parasite is dependent on exogenous deoxyribonucleosides for DNA replication and thus is also potentially vulnerable to deoxyribonucleoside analogs. Here, we characterized the G. intestinalis thymidine kinase, a divergent member of the thymidine kinase 1 family that consists of two weakly homologous parts within one polypeptide. We found that the recombinantly expressed enzyme is monomeric, with 100-fold higher catalytic efficiency for thymidine compared to its second-best substrate, deoxyuridine, and is furthermore subject to feedback inhibition by dTTP. This efficient substrate discrimination is in line with the lack of thymidylate synthase and dUTPase in the parasite, which makes deoxy-UMP a dead-end product that is potentially harmful if converted to deoxy-UTP. We also found that the antiretroviral drug azidothymidine (AZT) was an equally good substrate as thymidine and was active against WT as well as metronidazole-resistant G. intestinalis trophozoites. This drug inhibited DNA synthesis in the parasite and efficiently decreased cyst production in vitro, which suggests that it could reduce infectivity. AZT also showed a good effect in G. intestinalis–infected gerbils, reducing both the number of trophozoites in the small intestine and the number of viable cysts in the stool. Taken together, these results suggest that the absolute dependency of the parasite on thymidine kinase for its DNA synthesis can be exploited by AZT, which has promise as a future medication effective against metronidazole-refractory giardiasis.

Autoimmunity in Human CE: Correlative with The Fertility Status of The CE Cyst.

SummaryCystic echinococcosis is speculated to exert several immune-evasion strategies involving autoimmune-phenomena. We evaluated the hypothesizes that the prevalence of autoantibodies increases in the sera of CE patients that may evidence the association between the parasite and autoimmune diseases. Sera from 63 subjects at distinct types of CE cyst fertility were investigated for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and anti-CCP antibodies. Plasma levels and cellular production of IL-17A cytokine were specifically defined as being assumed to prime for autoimmunity. Healthy-controls were age and gender-matched to test sera. ANA expressions inside the surgically removed metacestode and adventitial layer were also assayed. Out of 63 patients, 35 % had fertile highly viable cysts (group-1), 41 % had fertile low viable cysts (group-2) and 24 % had non-fertile cysts (group-3). A four-fold increase in ANA sera-levels was detected in group-1 compared with their controls (p-value 0.001) while anti-CCP levels were of insignificant differences. In group-2 and group-3, no significant differences were detected between ANA and anti-CCP sera-levels in CE patients and their controls. IL-17A sera-levels in group-1 and group- 2 were significantly higher than their healthy-controls while being of insignificant differences in group-3, p-value= 0.300. No association was detected between sera-levels of IL-17A and ANA as well as anti-CCP antibodies. Interestingly, relative IL-17A cellular expression associated positive ANA deposition in the parasite cells and adventitial layer. Collectively, based on the parasite fertility, IL-17A and ANA seemed to be involved in the host immune defenses against CE. There is no association between CE and anti-CCP antibodies.

Assessment of therapeutic potential of Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale commercial supplements in experimental giardiasis models.

Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal parasites in humans, and a major cause of diarrheal illness. Treatment of giardiasis relies on metronidazole (MTZ) and other nitroimidazoles which exhibit some limitations, including variable treatment efficacy and parasite-drug resistance. In this work, we investigated the therapeutic effects of the commercial products of Allium sativum (A. sativum) and Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale), alone and in combination with MTZ, on giardiasis in experimentally infected hamsters. Parasitological assessments: cysts count, cysts viability and trophozoites count, and histopathological assessment were performed. Results revealed that the percentage of reduction in cysts number in the A. sativum, Z. officinale, A. sativum/MTZ, and Z. officinale/MTZ treated groups were of 84.5, 88.9, 82, and 86.1%, respectively, compared to infected non-treated group. While MTZ treated group showed percentage of reduction 79.7%. Regarding the cyst viability, it was reduced by 73.4, 76.9, 64.9, and 70.7%, in the A. sativum, Z. officinale, A. sativum/MTZ, and Z. officinale/MTZ treated groups respectively, compared to 61.9% in the MTZ treated group. For the trophozoites, the percentage of reduction was 64.1, 60.2, 59.4, and 47.3%, respectively, compared to 38.6% in MTZ treated group. The examination of duodenal sections revealed remarkable improvement in the histopathological changes in the A. sativum, Z. officinale, and the MTZ combination groups. In conclusion, A. sativum and Z. officinale preparations showed higher anti-giardial activity compared to MTZ, with higher reduction in Giardia cyst numbers, viability and trophozoite numbers in the experimentally infected hamsters. Further in vivo trials are recommended using A. sativum and Z. officinale preparations in increasing doses to reach a higher cure rate.

Prevalence and factors associated with human Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in twelve remote villages of Ranomafana rainforest, Madagascar.

Infections with the tapeworm Taenia solium (taeniosis and cysticercosis) are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) highly endemic in Madagascar. These infections are however underdiagnosed, underreported and their burden at the community level remains unknown especially in rural remote settings. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of T. solium infections and associated risk factors in twelve remote villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park (RNP), Ifanadiana District, Madagascar. A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2016. Stool and serum samples were collected from participants. Tapeworm carriers were identified by stool examination. Taenia species and T. solium genotypes were characterised by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Detection of specific anti-cysticercal antibodies (IgG) or circulating cysticercal antigens was performed by ELISA or EITB/Western blot assays. Of the 459 participants with paired stool and blood samples included ten participants from seven distinct villages harbored Taenia spp. eggs in their stools samples DNA sequencing of the cox1 gene revealed a majority of T. solium Asian genotype (9/10) carriage. The overall seroprevalences of anti-cysticercal IgGs detected by ELISA and EITB were quite similar (27.5% and 29.8% respectively). A prevalence rate of 12.4% of circulating cysticercal antigens was observed reflecting cysticercosis with viable cysts. Open defecation (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3) and promiscuity with households of more than 4 people (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.1) seem to be the main risk factors associated with anticysticercal antibodies detection. Being over 15 years of age would be a risk factor associated with an active cysticercosis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0-2.7). Females (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) and use of river as house water source (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-1.5) were less likely to have cysticercosis with viable cysts. This study indicates a high exposure of the investigated population to T. solium infections with a high prevalence of cysticercosis with viable cysts. These data can be useful to strengthen public health interventions in these remote settings.

Helminthic dehydrogenase drives PGE2 and IL‐10 production in monocytes to potentiate Treg induction

Immunoregulation of inflammatory, infection‐triggered processes in the brain constitutes a central mechanism to control devastating disease manifestations such as epilepsy. Observational studies implicate the viability of Taenia solium cysts as key factor determining severity of neurocysticercosis (NCC), the most common cause of epilepsy, especially in children, in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Viable, in contrast to decaying, cysts mostly remain clinically silent by yet unknown mechanisms, potentially involving Tregs in controlling inflammation. Here, we show that glutamate dehydrogenase from viable cysts instructs tolerogenic monocytes to release IL‐10 and the lipid mediator PGE2. These act in concert, converting naive CD4+ T cells into CD127−CD25hiFoxP3+CTLA‐4+ Tregs, through the G protein‐coupled receptors EP2 and EP4 and the IL‐10 receptor. Moreover, while viable cyst products strongly upregulate IL‐10 and PGE2 transcription in microglia, intravesicular fluid, released during cyst decay, induces pro‐inflammatory microglia and TGF‐β as potential drivers of epilepsy. Inhibition of PGE2 synthesis and IL‐10 signaling prevents Treg induction by viable cyst products. Harnessing the PGE2‐IL‐10 axis and targeting TGF‐ß signaling may offer an important therapeutic strategy in inflammatory epilepsy and NCC.

Development of a dose-response model for porcine cysticercosis.

Taenia solium is an important cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide and remains endemic in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Transmission of this parasite is still poorly understood despite the design of infection experiments to improve our knowledge of the disease, with estimates for critical epidemiological parameters, such as the probability of human-to-pig infection after exposure to eggs, still lacking. In this paper, a systematic review was carried out and eight pig infection experiments were analyzed to describe the probability of developing cysts. These experiments included different pathways of inoculation: with ingestion of proglottids, eggs, and beetles that ingested eggs, and direct injection of activated oncospheres into the carotid artery. In these experiments, different infective doses were used, and the numbers of viable and degenerated cysts in the body and brain of each pig were registered. Five alternative dose-response models (exponential, logistic, log-logistic, and exact and approximate beta-Poisson) were assessed for their accuracy in describing the observed probabilities of cyst development as a function of the inoculation dose. Dose-response models were developed separately for the presence of three types of cysts (any, viable only, and cysts in the brain) and considered for each of the four inoculation methods ("Proglottids", "Eggs", "Beetles" and "Carotid"). The exact beta-Poisson model best fit the data for the three types of cysts and all relevant exposure pathways. However, observations for some exposure pathways were too scarce to reliably define a dose-response curve with any model. A wide enough range of doses and sufficient sample sizes was only found for the "Eggs" pathway and a merged "Oral" pathway combining the "Proglottids", "Eggs" and "Beetles" pathways. Estimated parameter values from this model suggest that a low infective dose is sufficient to result in a 50% probability for the development of any cyst or for viable cyst infections. Although this is a preliminary model reliant on a limited dataset, the parameters described in this manuscript should contribute to the design of future experimental infections related to T. solium transmission, as well as the parameterization of simulation models of transmission aimed at informing control.

Measuring viability of dinoflagellate cysts and diatoms with stains to test the efficiency of facsimile treatments possibly applicable to ships’ ballast water and sediment

Expansion of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species through ships' ballast water and sediment has been an increasing concern. Determining whether a microalgal cell, particularly for the toxic and HAB-forming species, is "viable" or "dead" is fundamental to understanding the effectiveness of the many ballast-water treatments that have been considered. To this end, we screened a variety of stains to assess the viability of dinoflagellate (Gymnodinium catenatum, GC) cysts and diatom (Corethron hystrix) vegetative cells to test the efficiency of ballast water treatments. Results showed that the stains fluorescing red or green are not sound candidates for viability measurements due to the interference of chlorophyll-induced red fluorescence or cytosolic green autofluorescence, while the use of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide is limited by its toxicity, pseudo-positive judgment and the consequent confusion between cysts and vegetative cells. We further demonstrated that the stain Neutral Red (NR) is a sound candidate as the "vital stain" and can be easily applied for functionally defining the viability of both dinoflagellate cysts and diatoms. Another stain, the Evans Blue (EB), could be used as a "mortal stain" for the vegetative diatom cells but not a sensitive indicator of viability for GC cysts. The NR staining for GC cysts generally needs a higher dosage (0.005%) and longer staining time (24 h) than that were used for staining zooplankton, diatoms, and vegetative cells of dinoflagellates. In all cases, EB staining defined a "percentage of viable cells" significantly higher than that defined by NR. We conclude that the viability of a population is highly dependent on the species of stains used thus must be referred as a method-defined indicator.

Hydatid cyst detection by liver ultrasonography in sheep: Impact of cyst abundance, viability and location

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco, common in most livestock including sheep. The objectives of this study, performed in sheep of different ages in the Middle Atlas in Morocco, were (1) to compare CE detection, CE count and cysts classification into viable and calcified by ante-mortem hepatic ultrasound (US) scanning and post-mortem macroscopic hepatic inspection and (2) to investigate post-mortem the hydatid cysts present in the liver and lungs to determine in as far hepatic US scanning would fail to detect sheep with exclusive location of CE in the lungs that are not detected on ultrasound. Among 126 examined sheep, 106 were considered as infected by CE by US scanning, whereas 108 were detected at necropsy. Whatever the diagnostic method used; the total number of cysts increased significantly in function of age (p < 0.001). Differentiation capacity between viable and calcified cysts was similar for US scanning and necropsy. Sheep considered as negative by US scanning (n = 32) were confirmed negative by necropsy, leading to a specificity of US scanning of 100% (95% CI: 90–100%) and sensitivity of 98% (IC: 92–99%). Part 2 of the study evidenced that among 97 infected sheep, 78% (IC 95%: 72–83%) presented hepatics cysts, whereas 22% (IC 95%: 17–28%) presented exclusively pulmonary cysts. 56% (IC 95%: 54–59%) of total cysts were located in the liver. Animals showing exclusively pulmonary cysts were lightly infected in comparison to sheep with liver or with liver and pulmonary cysts. Under the conditions of the Middle Atlas sheep farm, the US scan was able to detect 98% of sheep with liver cysts. The US scan therefore allows easy monitoring of the progress of the control measures and provides data on the infestation of animals without the need for autopsy.

An Evaluation of Irradiation Treatment to Disinfect Soil Tare from Globodera spp.

As a severe danger to potato plants, potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) are regulated quarantine pests in many countries. Adhering soils to potato or other tuber crops provoke the uncontrolled spread of the pest after their industrial processing. The disinfection of soil tares to inactivate PCNs is therefore compulsory. In the present study, we test whether the viability and formation of PCN cysts are suppressed after treatment with γ and β irradiation. In a first experiment, nematode cysts were treated with γ or β irradiation without soil matrix to determine the minimum dose parameters in a range between 0–12 kGy. Subsequently, two representative soils that included cysts were irradiated. Irradiation effects on PCN viability and the formation of new cysts were evaluated via hatching tests and bioassays with susceptible potato plants, respectively. In addition, maize seedling growth was tested in irradiated soil tares. We found that next to γ also, β irradiation suppressed the hatch of PCN juveniles and its formation of cysts when placed in soil tares. The growth of maize seedlings was not impaired in irradiated soils compared to control soils. Both γ and β irradiation treatment offer an organism group selective and effective phytosanitary measures to disinfect soil tares from PCNs.

Prevalence and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii in goats slaughtered for human consumption in the semi-arid of northeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and factors associated with infection in goats, and to isolate protozoan strains in tissue samples from seropositive goats that were destined for human consumption in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 229 slaughtered goats were tested using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), with a cutoff point of 1:64. Epidemiological questionnaires were applied to the producers, to acquire information about the sanitary management used in their herds. Tissue samples from the animals were collected during slaughter, in order to perform bioassays in mice. The seroprevalence found was 21.39% (49/229), with antibody titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:32,768. The municipalities of origin, Patos (OR: 3.047; CI: 1.384-6.706) and Sousa (OR: 3.355; CI: 1.536-7.327), were considered to be factors associated with infection by T. gondii. Thirty-eight bioassays were performed in mice, using tissues from seropositive goats, with an isolation rate of 50% (19/38). There was no correlation between isolation rate and antibody titers. Only one mouse died, at 30days post-infection, which demonstrated that the strains isolated had low virulence towards mice. It was concluded that there is high seroprevalence in goats in northeastern Brazil, as well as a high percentage of viable tissue cysts in slaughtered animals destined for human consumption. These results demonstrate that there is an imminent one health problem relating to toxoplasmosis, especially in the most populous municipalities in the study (Patos and Sousa), which were identified as factors associated with T. gondii infection in goats.

Antiproliferation and Antiencystation Effect of Class II Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous and free-living protozoan pathogen responsible for causing Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a severe corneal infection inflicting immense pain that can result in permanent blindness. A drug-based treatment of AK has remained arduous because Acanthamoeba trophozoites undergo encystment to become highly drug-resistant cysts upon exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as amoebicidal agents (e.g., polyhexanide, chloroquine, and chlorohexidine). As such, drugs that block the Acanthamoeba encystation process could result in a successful AK treatment. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have recently emerged as novel therapeutic options for treating various protozoan and parasitic diseases. Here, we investigated whether novel HDACi suppress the proliferation and encystation of Acanthamoeba. Synthetic class II HDACi FFK29 (IIa selective) and MPK576 (IIb selective) dose-dependently decreased the viability of Acanthamoeba trophozoites. While these HDACi demonstrated a negligible effect on the viability of mature cysts, Acanthamoeba encystation was significantly inhibited by these HDACi. Apoptosis was slightly increased in trophozoites after a treatment with these HDACi, whereas cysts were unaffected by the HDACi exposure. The viability of human corneal cells was not affected by HDACi concentrations up to 10 μmol/L. In conclusion, these synthetic HDACi demonstrated potent amoebicidal effects and inhibited the growth and encystation of Acanthamoeba, thus highlighting their enormous potential for further development.

Occurrence and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from domestic animals in Central Iran

BackgroundThe species complex of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) causes cystic echinococcosis distributed worldwide. There is no genotype information from hydatid cysts in the intermediate hosts in Central Iran. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the hydatid cysts in livestock slaughtered in an abattoir in this region. Six hundred fifty-seven hydatid cysts were isolated from 97 animals, including sheep, cattle, camels, and goats slaughtered in Yazd abattoir from September 2018 to January 2020. The demographic data was collected as well as cyst location, fertility, and viability. Out of 657 samples, 164 samples were genotyped. Then, phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGAX. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 16.0 by chi-square with a significant difference of less than 0.05.ResultsOut of 164 samples, the G1-G3 complex genotype had the most frequency in samples, with 135 cases recognized. The G6/G7 was observed in 19 isolates and G5 was reported in nine samples. One sample was detected as Taenia hydatigena.ConclusionsThis study showed that G1-G3 and G6/G7 genotypes were presented in all animals, but G5 was reported only in cattle, goats, and camels. It is the first molecular identification of cystic echinococcosis in Central Iran. Hence, reporting G5 in livestock in this area should be considered due to transmission to humans.

Hippocampal Atrophy/Sclerosis Is Associated with Old, Calcified Parenchymal Brain Neurocysticercosis, But Not with More Recent, Viable Infections.

Magnetic resonance images from 197 patients with calcified neurocysticercosis (NCC), 38 with viable NCC and 197 NCC-free healthy rural villagers were evaluated to compare the frequency of hippocampal atrophy/sclerosis (HAS) across these populations. Scheltens' medial temporal atrophy scale was used for hippocampal rating. The median age of the 432 study participants was 46 years (interquartile range, 29-62 years), and 58% were women. Hippocampal atrophy/sclerosis was disclosed in 26.9% patients with calcified NCC, compared with 7.9% in patients with viable NCC and 8.1% in healthy rural villagers. After adjusting for age, gender, and history of epilepsy, hippocampal atrophy/sclerosis was more frequent in patients with calcified NCC than in those with viable cysts (RR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.18- 0.99; P = 0.025) and healthy rural villagers (RR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.94-6.06; P < 0.001), suggesting that hippocampal damage develops late in the course of this parasitic disease.

Cyst detection and viability assessment of Balantioides coli in environmental samples: Current status and future needs

The ciliate Balantioides coli is a human enteric parasite that can cause life-threatening infections. It is a food- and waterborne parasite, with cysts being the infective stage. Despite its importance as a potential pathogen, few reports have investigated its presence in environmental samples, and some issues need attention including i) The accuracy of B. coli identification. In most cases, the protozoa is identified only by its morphological traits, which can be identical to those from other parasitic ciliates of animals. Genetic analysis of cysts recovered from environmental samples is necessary for species confirmation. In addition, genetic methods used with faecal samples need to be adequately validated with environmental matrices. ii) The methodology for searching this parasite in environmental samples. The protocols include an initial phase to isolate the cysts from the matrix followed by a second phase in which concentration procedures are usually applied. The methods may be valid but are not standardised and differences between studies could affect the results obtained. iii) The areas that needs further research. The development of genetic identification methods and standardised analytical protocols in environmental samples are required, as well as the assessment of viability and infectivity of B. coli cysts. The development of axenic culture systems will boost research on this parasite.

Risk of Waterborne Parasitic Infection among Vegetables Producers in the City of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: An Attempt to Quantify Them Using the Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment Method

The use of wastewater in urban agriculture has been promoted as an alternative to water scarcity and as a means to increase soil fertilizer. However, the use of wastewater in urban agriculture raises major public health concerns, mainly due to the often high concentration of pathogenic micro-organisms. Waterborne parasites are a major health concern in this regard, especially in endemic areas, mainly due to the high environmental resistance of eggs/cysts combined with a low infectious dose. In this study, the parasitological risk to vegetables producers in Ouagadougou using polluted water was evaluated through the quantitative microbiological risk analysis method. For this purpose, the search for and quantification of viable parasite eggs and cysts in irrigation water was coupled with epidemiological surveillance of vegetables producers in Ouagadougou. Protozoa and helminths belonging to 9 species were recorded and samples analyzed. These include Ancylostoma sp., Ascaris lumbricoides, tapeworm’s sp, Strongyloides stercoralis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia. Despite the variability of isolated parasitic species, Ancylostoma sp. eggs were common and severe to all types of water. Moreover, epidemiological approach showed that there were more parasitic species found in irrigation water and also other parasitic species circulating among vegetable farmers. In addition, there is no statistical significant association between the type of water used for irrigation and the carried parasites by vegetable gardeners. However, contamination of the groups using the raw wastewater is once higher than those using well water. When one is interested in the groups using treated wastewater as a source of irrigation, these risks of contaminations are halved. These contaminations are halved when one looks at groups using treated wastewater as a source of irrigation water. Still, whatever the type of water used by the gardeners, they have a probability of infection with Ancylostoma sp. of around 9.83 × 10−1 pppy.

Distribution of golden potato nematode in the soils of the Omsk region

The distribution of the golden potato nematode in the soils of the Omsk region has been recorded since 2003. The potential danger of expanding the area of colonization by this phytohelminth is associated with a loss of potato yield from 30 to 90%. Of the 32 districts of the Omsk region, 21 districts were found to be populated with the golden potato nematode. Potato production in the Omsk region is mainly carried out by private individuals. In many districts of the Omsk region, the share of personal subsidiary plots in the produced potatoes reached 95%. The studies were carried out in 2017 - 2020 and it was found that cysts with viable larvae of the golden potato nematode were detected in the samples of the studied soil samples, the degree of infection was high and ranged from 50 to 90 cysts. Under these conditions, the priority direction of reducing the number of phytohelminths is the use of environmentally friendly methods of control, such as the fungal microbiological preparation Nematofagin Mikopro. In the areas with the use of a biological product, the degree of infection was average and ranged from 45 to 13 viable cysts.

The efficacy of combined Albendazole and Praziquantel therapy versus Albendazole monotherapy in treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis: A systematic review

Preliminary studies suggest combined albendazole and praziquantel (ABZ+PZQ) therapy has superior anti-parasitic effect compared to albendazole (ABZ) or praziquantel (PZQ) monotherapy, due to potential pharmacokinetic synergism. We thus present an evidence-based review evaluating the risks and benefits associated with combination ABZ+PZQ therapy compared to standard ABZ monotherapy in the treatment of viable parenchymal Neurocysticercosis (NCC). Our systematic review is based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta- Analysis) statement. Our primary outcome measure was to compare the efficacy of ABZ+PZQ with ABZ alone for treatment of NCC. Efficacy was determined based on clinical and radiographic evaluation. The secondary outcome measured the incidence of adverse effects in each treatment group. Literature search yielded a total of 120 articles. After excluding duplicates and those not meeting inclusion criteria, five papers were reviewed for data collection. Medication regimens, number of cyst, patient age, and location varied amongst included papers. The combination therapy resulted in significant symptom and cyst resolution in patients with more than two viable parenchymal cysts as compared to monotherapy. The two treatment arms were comparable in treating NCC with low cyst burden. There was no significant difference in the adverse effects between two treatment groups. In individuals with multi-cystic NCC, the patients who received dual therapy had better outcomes than those who received ABZ monotherapy as evidenced by radiographic improvement and reduced seizure episodes. The adverse effect profile in patients receiving dual therapy was similar and comparable to those with monotherapy.

Histological and immunological insights to hydatid disease in camels.

To investigate the immuno-histological evidences in viable and non-viable hydatid cysts obtained from naturally infected camels. A cohort study (February 2018-December 2019), a total of 15 hydatidosis-infected camels from slaughter houses in Cairo were involved. Specimens were investigated for parasite viability, liver histological changes, IL-17A cytokine immunohistochemical expressions in the adventitial layer, and the anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) immunofluorescent expression in the metacestode's structures. Real-Time Quantitative -Morphocytometry and SPSS were utilized. Multi-focal lesions and high viability were found in 60% of the cases. Overall accumulation of collagen associated the parasite establishment that involved infiltrations of mononuclear cells with significantly increased IL-17A expression. Interestingly, the ANAs appeared to have a role in the immune-defense against the metacestode showing different patterns. ANAs production correlated with IL-17A expression and the viability of the parasite. IL-17A responses in hydatidosis is associated with collagen deposition and ANA production as a sort of anti-parasite immunity in a viability dependent manner.