New evidence for the antiquity of the intestinal parasite Trichuris (whipworm) in Europe

Antiquity ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (301) ◽  
pp. 676-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Dark

The whipworm, Trichuris trichiura L., is one of the most common human intestinal parasites worldwide, yet little is known of its origin and global spread. Archaeological records for this nematode have all been of Neolithic or later date, suggesting a possible association between the spread of pastoral farming and human acquisition of whipworm. This paper reports the discovery of eggs of the genus Trichuris in late Mesolithic deposits from south Wales, indicating that whipworm was present in Europe before the arrival of agriculture. This raises the possibility that human infection by Trichuris arose through contact with wild animals in parts of the landscape frequented by both human and animal groups.

2016 ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Nu Phuong Anh Ton ◽  
Thi Minh Chau Ngo

Introduction: Intestinalparasite infections still are very common in tropical country such as Vietnam. Therefore evaluation of the prevalence of them should be done. Materials and methods: A crosssectional descriptivestudy were carried out to use the wet mount direct examination, Kato and ELISA technique for evaluation the rate of intestinal parasite infections, interviewed them to reveal their life’s hygenic condition, knowledge and risk behaviour of intestinal parasite infections in 640 patients attending to the in Hue University of hospital. Result: The rate of soiltransmitted intestinal helminth were lower than the foodborne infection of cestode and trematode such as: Taenia solium/saginata 3.64%, Clonorchis sinensis 2.73%. The rate of positive antibody of rare intestinal parasite were Fasciola gigantica 40.68%, E. histolytica/dispar 43.75%, Toxocara canis 32.43%, Gnasthostoma spinigerum 37.5%, Taenia solium 51.43%, Strongyloidesstercoralis 16.67%. Most of people has hygenic life condition with hygenic water available. The popular knowledge of intestinal parasite diseases of transmission, pathology, prevention and treatment were concentrate on oiltransmittedintestinal helminth.There were high rate of platyhelminths infectious behaviourssuch as: eating raw water plant 75.6%, eating raw beef 80.6%, eating raw pork 72.2%, eating raw fish 11.8%, bare foot 34.2%. Conclusions: The result of our study showed that the higher rate of foodborne cestode and trematode than soiltransmittedhelminth correspond tothe hygenic life condition, the knowledge of the diseases and risk behavior of intestinal parasites infection. Key words: Helminth, cestode, trematode


Author(s):  
Richard Bradley ◽  
Colin Haselgrove ◽  
Marc Vander Linden ◽  
Leo Webley

The Later Prehistory of North-West Europe provides a unique, up-to-date, and easily accessible synthesis of the later prehistoric archaeology of north-west Europe, transcending political and language barriers that can hinder understanding. By surveying changes in social forms, landscape organization, monument types, and ritual practices over six millennia, the volume reassesses the prehistory of north-west Europe from the late Mesolithic to the end of the pre-Roman Iron Age. It explores how far common patterns of social development are apparent across north-west Europe, and whether there were periods when local differences were emphasized instead. In relation to this, it also examines changes through time in the main axes of contact between the various regions of continental Europe, Britain, and Ireland. Key to the volume's broad scope is its focus on the vast mass of new evidence provided by recent development-led excavations. The authors collate data that has been gathered on thousands of sites across Britain, Ireland, northern France, the Low Countries, western Germany, and Denmark, using sources including unpublished 'grey literature' reports. The results challenge many aspects of previous narratives of later prehistory, allowing the volume to present a distinctively fresh perspective.


2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Croft

Sustainable use of wildlife has become equated with exploitation of animal products (meat, skin or feathers) and/or removal of wild progenitors into the pet trade. This consumption of the wildlife is therefore largely ex situ and so removes nutrients and energy from the rangelands. Demand for lethal or a removal action is often driven by the severity of the perceived conflict between the wildlife and other enterprises, especially agriculture, rather than for the resulting products. Such uses also raise community concerns about humane treatment of animals and a valuing of the natural heritage. Wildlife-based tourism, as part of the valuable and growing nature-based or ecotourism industry in Australia, is an in situ use that may be a more ecologically sustainable and economically twble option for use of rangeland wildlife. This paper examines these possibilities and their problems with a focus on the commercial kangaroo industry and the use of arid-zone mammals, birds and reptiles for pets. It provides new evidence that wildlife-tourism based on free-living kangaroos in the rangelands is both feasible and in demand. This industry should be given advocacy in the on-going debate on the management and future of the rangelands. Key words: kangaroos, wildlife management, wildlife tourism, game harvesting


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1464-1468
Author(s):  
Imdad Ali Ansari ◽  
Jawed Akhtar Samo ◽  
Mohammad Aslam Soomro

Background: Worldwide, intestinal parasitic infections are major causeof human mortality and morbidity especially among developing countries wherein publichealth standards are not much better like developed countries. Intestinal parasiticinfections are linked with poor sanitation, lack of safe drinking water, inadequate dietaryand cultural habits and climate conditions. Objective: To assess the frequency, riskfactors and clinical manifestations related to intestinal parasite infections in patients withgastrointestinal disorders. Study Design: Cross-sectional multi-centre study. Setting:Department of Medicines, Chandka Medical College Larkana and Civil Hospital, KhairpurMirs. Period: 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017. Method: 260 patients, the patientswith gastrointestinal disorders presenting one or more symptoms (e.g. diarrhea, dysentery,abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, cramping and constipation) were included.Results: Frequency of intestinal parasites was 32.3%. The most common parasites wereEntamoeba histolytica (10.4%), Giardia lamblia (8.5%) and Hymenolepis nana (6.9%). Age,education, monthly income and contact with animal were significantly associated withintestinal parasite infections. Concerning symptoms, the presence of intestinal parasitesinfection was significantly associated with diarrhea and dysentery. Conclusion: Studyconcluded that most prevalent parasites were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lambliaand Hymenolepis nana. Significant association was found in age, education and monthlyincome.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi ◽  
Behnaz Rahmati

Introduction: Patients with cancer and hemodialysis are prone to opportunistic infections. The present research aims to examine the frequency of Toxoplasmosis and intestinal parasites in these patients. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, seventy stool and blood samples from immunocompromised patients (46 hemodialysis and 24 cancer patients) from Guilan Province were collected in 2017-2018. Different tests including direct smear examination and formalin-ether was conducted for the intestinal protozoan parasites. To detect coccidian parasites (e.g. Cryptosporidium spp.) Ziehl Neelsen staining was applied. The anti T.gondii antibodies were detected via ELISA method. Results: Totally 6.52% and 4.16% cases of hemodialysis and cancer patients were positive for intestinal parasite infection respectively. Blastocystis hominis was only intestinal parasite that were detected in these patients. IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibody detected in 35 (76.8%) hemodialysis and 15 (62.5%) cancer patients. IgM antibody were found in 1 elderly hemodialysis patient. Mix infection (Toxoplasmosis and Blastocystis) was observed in 6.52% and 4.16% in hemodialysis and cancer patients respectively. Conclusion: It is recommended to evaluate these patients for intestinal parasitic infections during hemodialysis or chemotherapy sessions. Data showed the high percentage of elderly patients were susceptible to reactivation of chronic Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, in order to refer them for early therapy or other interventions, it is important that elderly hemodialysis and cancer patients with toxoplasma infection be diagnosed and identified.  


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal

Fresh vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. The consumption of raw vegetables without cooking or good washing can be a major rout of transmission to the parasitic infection. The goal of this study was to determine the intestinal parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables from vegetables sales markets in Baghdad province during the different above months of the year. A total of 303 samples of different vegetables were randomly selected from three wholesale markets distributed through different regions in Baghdad (East, West and South) and then were examined by a floatation method. The present study showed that the collected vegetables were contaminated with 12 species of intestinal parasites, and the total percentage of contamination was 161 (53.1%) . ZnSo4 solution showed the highest percentage of contaminated vegetables (31.2%) while sucrose showed the lowest percentage (8.9%).


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1024-1034
Author(s):  
Jeanne Vanessa Koumba Lengongo ◽  
Bedrich Pongui Ngondza ◽  
Bridy Moutombi Ditombi ◽  
Noé Patrick M’Bondoukwé ◽  
Jacques Mari Ndong Ngomo ◽  
...  

Introduction: Intestinal parasites infections are endemic in Gabon. Nevertheless, they are rarely described in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Objective: The frequency of intestinal parasite infection was estimated and compared between HIV-positive and HIV un- infected individuals in Gabon; factors associated with intestinal parasites were also analysed. Material and Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design sociodemographic data, life style habits, antiretroviral therapy, cotrimoxazole use and CD4 cell count were recorded.. Stool samples from participants living in Koulamoutou and Oyem were analysed using microscopy. Chi-squared or fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression were performed. Results: Among participants (n=332), female gender was predominant (73.7%; n=135/183) and the median age was 45 [33-57] years old. Among 183 samples, 53.6% (n = 98/183) were infected by intestinal parasites. The proportion was higher (72.1%) in HIV negative participants compared to PLHIV (42.6%) (p <0.01). PLHIV were more frequently poly-infected. Infection was frequent in patients using external toilets and tap water (>70.0%). Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasites is higher in seronegative participants but polyparasitism is more frequent in PLHIV. Strategies are focused on HIV negative population, but this study shows the importance of sensitization for PLHIV to improve their quality of life. Keywords: Intestinal parasites; Human immunodeficiency virus; cotrimoxazole; CD4 cell; Gabon.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 674
Author(s):  
Patrycja Kapczuk ◽  
Danuta Kosik-Bogacka ◽  
Patrycja Kupnicka ◽  
Emilia Metryka ◽  
Donata Simińska ◽  
...  

Studies on the parasite–host interaction may provide valuable information concerning the modulation of molecular mechanisms as well as of the host immune system during infection. To date, it has been demonstrated that intestinal parasites may affect, among others, the processes of digestion in the gastrointestinal system of the host, thus limiting the elimination of the parasite, the immune response as well as inflammation. However, the most recent studies suggest that intestinal parasites may also affect modulation of the apoptosis pathway of the host. The present paper presents the latest scientific information on the influence of intestinal parasite species (Blastocystis sp., Giardia sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Trichuris sp., Entamoeba histolytica, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus) on the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. This paper stresses that the interdependency between the intestinal parasite and the host results from the direct effect of the parasite and the host’s defense reactions, which lead to modulation of the apoptosis pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic). Moreover, the present paper presents the role of proteins involved in the mechanisms of apoptosis as well as the physiological role of apoptosis in the host’s intestinal epithelial cells.


2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane Holsback ◽  
Mauro José Lahm Cardoso ◽  
Rafael Fagnani ◽  
Thaís Helena Constantino Patelli

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of occurrence and variety of intestinal parasites among free-living wild animals. Fecal samples from wild mammals and birds at rehabilitation centers in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo were analyzed by sedimentation and flotation-centrifugation methods. Parasite eggs, oocysts, cysts and/or trophozoites were found in 71% of the samples. Cryptosporidiumsp. oocysts were detected in fecal samples from oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus) and scaly-headed parrots (Pionus maximiliani). Giardia cysts were identified in the feces of a gray brocket (Mazama gouazoubira). Among the most common parasites found, there were eggs from Toxocara cati,Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and from Cestoda. Several Enterobiussp. eggs were found in the feces of red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus). It can be concluded from this study that despite the small number of samples, the diversity of parasites found was noteworthy. Additional information about parasite endofauna in wild animals is needed, since their presence might suggest that there could be proximity to and interactions with domestic animals and/or humans. In addition, further studies on parasites from free-living wild animals are of prime importance for understanding the intensity of anthropic changes in wild environments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 93 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Schulting ◽  
Linda Fibiger ◽  
Richard Macphail ◽  
Rowan McLaughlin ◽  
Emily Murray ◽  
...  

This paper presents an overview of the results of two brief excavation seasons (2008 and 2010) at Foxhole Cave, Gower, south Wales, placing them into the wider context of mid-Holocene Britain. No prehistoric pottery was found and the few pieces of worked flint recovered are diagnostic of the Mesolithic period. Typically for the Carboniferous limestone caves of Gower, bone was well preserved, however, and though much of the material in the heavily disturbed upper metre or so of the deposits was modern sheep and rabbit, scattered fragments representing the remains of at least six humans were also recovered, of which two have been directly radiocarbon-dated using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS 14C) to the Late Mesolithic and two to the earlier Neolithic (the remaining two providing Romano-British and medieval dates). Their associated stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values indicate a significant difference in diet between the two periods (contrary to the results from an earlier excavation in 1997), with marine foods contributing around half of the protein for the Mesolithic individuals and little or none for the Neolithic individuals. The new results are consistent with those from Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire, some 30km to the west. The floor of the cave has still not been reached at around 2m depth; limited investigation of the lowermost levels has yielded a Pleistocene fauna (including reindeer, aurochs or bison and collared lemming) with dates back to approx 33,500 cal bc, though with no definite evidence for human activity so far. A small, dark-stained fragment of human cranium was recovered from what may be pre-Holocene levels, but this failed to produce sufficient collagen for dating. In addition to a marked dietary shift, the combined stable isotope and dating programme provides further support for an equally striking temporal gap of some two millennia between the Mesolithic and Neolithic use of caves for burial.


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