scholarly journals A preliminary study of the prevalence of intestinal parasites in immunocompromised patients with and without gastrointestinal manifestations

2003 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Humberto Botero ◽  
Amanda Castaño ◽  
Marta Nelly Montoya ◽  
Norma Elena Ocampo ◽  
Marta Inés Hurtado ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the intestinal parasites most commonly found in immunocompromised patients. A group of 111 individuals with acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other immunocompromised conditions (principally haematological disorders) was selected. A battery of tests was performed on each individual to identify the presence of parasites (three stool specimens with saline solution and Lugol both directly and by concentration, culture and special staining). No significant differences were found among the frequencies of the different parasites with the several types of immunocompromised conditions. The overall frequencies of potentially pathogenic and opportunistic parasites were 32.4% (36/111) and 9% (10/111) respectively, the most frequently encountered among the latter being Cryptosporidium sp., Microsporidia spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis.

2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (12) ◽  
pp. 1792-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Rivasi ◽  
Silvio Pampiglione ◽  
Renzo Boldorini ◽  
Loredana Cardinale

Abstract Context.—Strongyloidiasis is a worldwide parasitic infection affecting approximately 75 million people. In Italy, it was more prevalent in the past among rural populations of irrigated areas. Objective.—To determine the histopathologic alterations of the gastric and duodenal mucosa associated with the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis parasites. Design.—Fifteen cases of strongyloidiasis were observed in immunocompromised patients during a recent 6-year period in Italy. S stercoralis was found histologically in gastric biopsies (10 cases), in a gastrectomy (1 case), and in duodenal biopsies (9 cases). In 5 cases the parasite was present both in gastric and duodenal biopsies. Four patients were affected by lymphoma, 2 by multiple myeloma, 2 by gastric carcinoma, 1 by chronic myeloid leukemia, 1 by sideroblastic anemia, 1 by colorectal adenocarcinoma, 1 by chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, 1 by chronic gastritis, 1 by gastric ulcers, and 1 by rheumatoid arthritis in corticosteroid therapy. No patient was affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection. Strongyloidiasis was not clinically diagnosed. Results.—Histologic examination revealed several sections of S stercoralis larvae, many eggs, and some adult forms. All the parasites were located in the gastric and/or the duodenal crypts. Eosinophils infiltrating into the lamina propria were found in all cases; their intensity was correlated with the intensity of the infection. Conclusions.—Histologic diagnosis of strongyloidiasis must be taken into consideration when examining both gastric and duodenal biopsies in immunocompromised patients, to avoid the development of an overwhelming infection of the parasite, which is dangerous for the life of the patient.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mounia Bendari ◽  
Sofia Sraidi ◽  
Nisrine Khoubila

Genetic defects play a major role in pathogenesis of the most of haematological malignancies, including cytogenetic abnormalities, gene mutations, and abnormal gene expression. Our knowledge about the genetics of haematological disorders has been dramatically improved during the past decade, due to revolution of sequencing technologies which have played a crucial role. In this chapter, we describe the techniques commonly employed for elucidating chromosomal aberrations, prognostic impact of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities, and recently updated risk stratification systems. We will summarise the chromosomal abnormalities recently identified on many of haematological diseases such acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoid leukaemia, myelodysplasic syndrome, multiple myeloma, meyloproliferative disease and clarify their impacts on clinical phenotype and prognosis, as well as their role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The aim of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of the recent progresses in haematological diseases genetics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Légeret ◽  
Céline Rüttimann ◽  
Hans Fankhauser ◽  
Henrik Köhler

Abstract Background A wide variation of causes can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in children- an infection with parasites is one of them. The expansion of international travel might lead to an increase in testing children for a correspondent infection. Currently there are no guidelines available, which patients should be tested for a possible parasitical infection. The aim of the study was to characterize Swiss children suffering from intestinal parasites, in order to provide more knowledge for the clinician who should be tested. Methods This is a retrospective study of Swiss pediatric patients, whose stools have been tested for parasites and helminths. Results A total of 1855 stool samples, belonging to 572 different children with an average age of 7.9 years, were tested within a 10-year period. The prevalence of a positive result was 4.2%, of which all were positive for Blastocystis, and 12.5% had a co-infection with Endolimax nana. Conclusion Immigrants, immune compromised children with diarrhea and pediatric patients with bloody or protracted diarrhea should have 2 different stool specimens examined for a possible parasitical infection.


The Lancet ◽  
1918 ◽  
Vol 191 (4945) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
JohnC. Tull

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 574-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jeske ◽  
T. F. Bianchi ◽  
M. Q. Moura ◽  
B. Baccega ◽  
N. B. Pinto ◽  
...  

Abstract Intestinal parasitic infections in immunocompromised patients can lead to serious complications when not diagnosed and treated early. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the South of Brazil. Three fecal samples collected from each patient (73 individuals) were processed by Ritchie and Faust techniques and submitted to specific staining methods for intestinal protozoa. A 61.6% parasite and/or commensal positivity was found. Helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (33.3%), Taenia spp. (6.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.4%) and Trichuris trichiura (2.2%). Among protozoans, Giardia lamblia (26.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (13.3%) and Cystoisospora belli (4.4%) were identified. The presence of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and Entamoeba hartmanni was also recorded. The results obtained warn of the importance of fecal parasitological diagnosis and the use of specific staining methods for the detection of intestinal parasites in cancer patients. These exams should be regularly requested at the patient’s first clinic visit, given the high prevalence found in this study and the possible severity of such conditions for these individuals.


2018 ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adedotun A Adenusi ◽  
Mary I Akinyemi ◽  
Dele Akinsanya

Background: Domiciliary cockroaches are obnoxious pests of significant medical importance. We investigated the prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches and its attendant public health importance. Methods: Overall, 749 cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, 509, Blattella germanica, 240) caught by trapping from 120 households comprising 3 different housing types in Somolu, Lagos metropolis, southwest Nigeria, in 2015 were screened for human intestinal parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Results: The prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches was 96.4%. There was no statistically signifi­cant difference (P> 0.05) in parasite prevalences between P. americana (95.7%) and B. germanica (97.9%). Parasite species identified and their prevalence were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (44.1%), E. coli (37.8%), Gi­ardia lamblia (18.7%), Cryptosporidium sp. (13.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (61.3%), Trichuris trichiura (55.8%), hookworms (11.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (11.7%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (10.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (17.2%) and Hymenolepis nana (11.6%). Parasite prevalence and burdens varied with housing type; the prevalence was significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) in cockroaches from low-cost bungalow, LCB (100%) and low-cost, 2-storey, LC2-S (100%) houses than in medium-cost flats, MCF (81.3%). Parasite burdens were also significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) in cockroaches from LCB or LC2-S than in cockroaches from MCF. Parasite preva­lences between cockroach gut and body surfaces were not statistically significant (P> 0.05) but mean parasite bur­dens in gut were significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) than on body surfaces. Conclusion: Cockroaches types carry transmissive stages of human intestinal parasites and may act as reservoirs and potential mechanical vectors for disease transmission.


Author(s):  
Arcelia González-García ◽  
Claudia Hernández-Salas ◽  
Rosa Maria Martínez-Ortiz ◽  
Lilia González-Martínez

Introduction: Nowadays in our state, intestinal parasitic diseases are still endemic, with a greater frequency in rural and mountainous urban areas. After the years have elapsed since the last national survey, it was necessary to carry out a new survey to know the prevalence rates of intestinal parasitosis and to compare the results obtained between both studies. Such knowledge would be of great value in developing health strategies and designing intestinal parasitic infection control programs. Objective: to determine the current prevalence rates of intestinal parasites, to compare the results with those of the survey obtained. Methods: a random cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the months of December 2018 to March 2019 in a random sample of both sexes from the population of urban communities and the province of Zacatecas, Zac. Each one had a stool sample collected that was analyzed by the direct examination method, the Willis concentration technique, and the Kato-Katz examination; A questionnaire was also applied to them. Results: when comparing the results of the national and state surveys of intestinal parasitic infections carried out in 2009 and 2018, it was found that, in general, infections by parasites decreased, both helminths and pathogenic protozoa, although those infected with commensals increased their frequency in that of 2019. There was also a decrease in the frequency of infections by all species of soil-transmitted helminths, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, ancylostomideos, and Strongyloides stercoralis, as well as by the pathogenic protozoa Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolitica. Conclusions: when comparing the results of national and state surveys of intestinal parasite infections carried out in 2018 and 2019, it was found that in general the frequencies of infections with intestinal parasites decreased. The finding in both studies of a higher frequency of infection with parasites or commensals in the group aged 5 to 14 years (school age), supports the recommendation to place emphasis on control programs for intestinal parasites in this age group.


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.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 591
Author(s):  
Sneha Biradar ◽  
Balakrishna Teli

Cryptococcosis is an important opportunistic fungal infection and also cause of death due to central nervous system disease among patients with human immunodeficiency virus worldwide. Most of the cases occur in immunocompromised patients like HIV infected people, people with organ transplants and on immunosuppressants. Nowdays there is increase in cases of cryptoccal meningitis among diabetic patients. Current case series includes cryptococcal meningitis among diabetic patients after ruling out of other immunocompromised states. 


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