First evidences of salt and pepper retinal lesions in patients with intestinal protozoan infections in Iran

Author(s):  
Reza Jafari ◽  
Huriyeh Gorgizadeh ◽  
Masoud Soosaraei ◽  
Azar Shokri ◽  
Zainab Bandalizadeh ◽  
...  

Background: It is make clear that salt and pepper retinal lesion (SPRL) has subsequently associated with the infection with Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia). However, little is known regarding prevalence of SPRL among patients suffered from parasitic infections in the world. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SPRL among patients with intestinal protozoan infections, for the first time, in Sari, northern Iran. Methods: In this case-control study a total of 150 subjects participated: 75 were in patients group diagnosed to have intestinal parasite, and 75 in control group without any intestinal infection. Fecal samples were obtained from all participants and examined with wet mount and formalin-ether methods. The retina of both groups was examined by an ophthalmologist. Results: Overall, salt and pepper retinal changes were diagnosed in 12 (16 %) patients with at least one parasitic infection (7 females and 5 males). G. lamblia was diagnosed in 6 subjects (50%), Blastocystis hominis in 5 (41.6%), and Entamoeba coli in 1 (8.3 %). Most of the patients (58.3%) had a mild infection. Bilateral retina involvement was observed in 75% of the patients. Furthermore, macula involvement was observed in 91.7 % with SPRL. Conclusion: Our findings indicated the relatively high prevalence of SPRL in subjects with giardiasis and blastocystosis. It can be concluded that not only G. lamblia but also B. hominis can cause SPRL in Sari, Iran. Further studies are needed to find other etiologic parasites able to cause retinal damages.

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 120-126
Author(s):  
Abdol Sattar Pagheh ◽  
Mahdi Sharif ◽  
Ahmad Daryani ◽  
Jamshid Yazdani-Charati ◽  
Eisa Nazar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infection (IPIs) is one of the most important health problems in the developing countries. Study on the prevalence of IPIs in various communities is a prerequisite for the development of appropriate control strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the general population in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Methodology: This study was conducted on 4,788 specimens collected from 17 urban areas (2,515 samples) and 34 rural areas (2,273 samples) within January-December 2016. Fecal specimens were examined by direct wet mounting, formalin-ether concentration, modified Ziehl–Neelsen, and trichrome staining methods. Results: The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 14.2% (680/ 4,788). Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were identified as the most frequent parasites. Protozoa, helminths, and polyparasitism (co-infections with two or more parasite species) were observed in 12.3%, 1.03%, and 0.85% of the specimens, respectively. Furthermore, IPIs showed a significant association with household income, place of residence, washing of vegetables, exposure to soil and season (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the findings, parasitic infections are still a major public health concern in the north of Iran that requires special attention. Therefore, the major key to success in the prevention of IPIs is the execution of some interventions, including patient screening and treatment, public education, and improvement of sanitary conditions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-287
Author(s):  
S. Viesy ◽  
J. Abdi ◽  
Z. Rezaei

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the one of the most common health problems in developing countries. Objective: A number of patients die annually due to complications caused by these parasites.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the rate and type of parasitic infections, determine the factors affecting them in Ilam city and also provide strategies to prevent them.In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in one of the Ilam labs in 2016, 417 stool specimens were randomly collected. All specimens were examined using direct and ethanol formaldehyde.Suspect specimens were examined using Trichrom staining. Demographic information was also recorded in a questionnaire, and finally the results were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 20.The data were then compared with Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 417 patients examined, 59 (14.1%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The type of parasitic infection in 9.4% was Blastocystis hominis, 3.6% Entamoeba coli, 0.5% Entamoeba histolytica, 0.5% Giardia and 0.2% Trichomonas hominis. Conclusion: Despite the improvement of public health, parasitic infections are still considered as one of the health problems in the city of Ilam. Therefore, proper planning, public health education, raising the level of health in the area and the provision of safe drinking water are some of the ways to reduce parasitic infections in the region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Madhav Raj Sharma ◽  
Sohan Jha ◽  
Pawan Jha ◽  
Prashant Dahal

Intestinal parasitic infections caused by intestinal helminthes and protozoa are the most common human infections endemic throughout the world especially in tropical and subtropical countries including Nepal. This study was conducted to study the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients visiting Sub-Regional Hospital, Dadeldhura, Nepal. Altogether 480 stool samples were collected from April 2017- October 2017. Microscopic examination of stool was done by using formal-ether concentration technique in the Microbiology Laboratory of Sub-Regional Hospital, Dadeldhura Nepal. The overall prevalence rate was found to be 10.625%. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in males (52.94%) than in females (47.06%). In the age group below 15 years, the prevalence was found to be higher (52.94 %) than other age groups. Total 6 species of intestinal parasites; 2 (33.33%) were protozoan parasites viz. cysts and trophozoites of Giardia lamblia, and cysts of Entamoeba histolytica, and 4 (66.67%) were helminths viz. ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria, Hymenolepis nana, and Ancylostoma duodenale. The infection rate was found to be higher in people taking normal tap water. The study concluded that intestinal protozoan infection is still a public health problem of concern among the people of Dadeldhura. The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infection was found to be high in children and low educated groups in Dadeldhura. Thus, health education along with infection management actions and awareness programs for sanitation improvements are required to reduce protozoan infections.


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.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemechu Ameya ◽  
Zerihun Zerdo ◽  
Mihret Tesfaye ◽  
Chimdo Jabesa ◽  
Abayneh Awaje ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the parasitic infections affecting people living in prison. Helminths and intestinal protozoan infections are the most common parasitic infection that may cause serious life-threatening diseases in inmates living in developing countries. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among inmates living in Arba Minch prison, southern Ethiopia. Methods Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted on Arba Minch inmates, southern Ethiopian. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather the data of socio-demographic characteristics, hygiene status of the prisoners, sanitation condition of the prison, and associated factors for IPIs by face to face interview. Direct wet-mount examination and formol-ether sedimentation techniques were used to examine intestinal parasitic infection from stool specimens. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between different variables and the IPI. Odds ratio with 95% CI was computed to determine the presence association and strength of the associated factors. Result A total of 320 prisoners were participated in this study. Of these, 154(48.1%) of them were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. Eight different intestinal parasites species were identified and Giardia lamblia was the predominant parasite. Among infected inmates, nearly one out of four of them had multiple parasitic infections dominated by Giardia lamblia and E. histolytica/dispar co-infection. Sleeping in group [AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: (1.0–3.8)], married prisoners [AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: (1.1–2.9)], and hand washing habits after handling soil [AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: (1.0–5.6)] were independently associated with IPI. Conclusion High prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was detected in Arba Minch inmates, southern Ethiopian. Absence of hand washing, marital status, and way of sleeping were the factors associated with the IPI. Implementation of mass drug administration, education on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and periodic screening of intestinal parasitic infection is very important to reduce the high prevalence IPIs in prison.


2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.M. Ruano ◽  
A. Cortinhas ◽  
N. Carolino ◽  
J. Gomes ◽  
M. Costa ◽  
...  

Abstract Helminth and protozoan infections are responsible for important diseases in grazing sheep, which can be especially threatening in an autochthonous breed at risk of extinction like the Churra Galega Mirandesa Portuguese sheep breed. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity, prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in these sheep and to assess the effects of deworming practices, cohabiting animals on the farm and feed management. Coprological qualitative and quantitative analysis (flotation, natural sedimentation and McMaster method) were used to identify and quantify gastrointestinal parasites and a questionnaire was designed and applied. A total of 512 faecal samples were collected from 49 flocks, and 49 replies to the questionnaire were received. Parasites were identified in 100% of the flocks, and in 97% of the samples. The genera or species that have been morphologically identified were: strongyle-type, Nematodirus spp., Skrjabinema spp., Moniezia expansa, Moniezia benedeni, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Eimeria spp., Dicrocoelium spp. and Fasciola hepatica. This is the first report in Portugal of Skrjabinema spp. The burden of parasites’ oocysts and eggs per gram in faecal samples ranged, respectively, from 50 to 17,550 for Eimeria spp., and from 50 to 6250 for strongyle-type eggs. Factors affecting parasitic infections were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression. Grazing time and a lack of anthelmintic treatment were positively associated with Nematodirus spp. infection. This study showed that there is a high prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in the Churra Galega Mirandesa sheep breed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. e22044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naelah A. Alyousefi ◽  
Mohammed A. K. Mahdy ◽  
Rohela Mahmud ◽  
Yvonne A. L. Lim

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi SHARIF ◽  
Ahmad DARYANI ◽  
Elham KIA ◽  
Fateme REZAEI ◽  
Mehrdad NASIRI ◽  
...  

Parasitic infection is highly prevalent throughout the developing countries of the world. Food handlers are a potential source of infection for many intestinal parasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite carriers among food handlers attending the public health center laboratory in Sari, Northern Iran for annual check-up. The study was performed from August 2011 through February 2012. Stool samples were collected from 1041 male and female food handlers of different jobs aged between 18 to 63 years and were examined following standard procedures. Sociodemographic, environmental and behavioral data analysis of the food handlers were recorded in a separate questionnaire. Intestinal parasites were found in 161 (15.5%) of the studied samples. Seven species of protozoan or helminth infections were detected. Most of the participants were infected with Giardia lamblia (53.9%) followed by Blastocystis hominis (18%), Entamoeba coli (15.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.5%), Cryptosporidium sp. (3.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (3.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (1.9%) as the only helminth infection. The findings emphasized that food handlers with different pathogenic organisms may predispose consumers to significant health risks. Routine screening and treatment of food handlers is a proper tool in preventing food-borne infections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dudlová ◽  
P. Juriš ◽  
S. Jurišová ◽  
P. Jarčuška ◽  
V. Krčméry

Summary Examinations of the set of 2,760 samples of human stools revealed the current epidemiological situation in the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasitoses in Slovakia. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection was P = 6.81 % out of which the protozoan infections was P = 2.64 % and helminthiases P = 4.17 %, in the representation of endoparasitic species Entamoeba coli, Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Enterobius vermicularis. The species with the highest proportion from the protozoa was Entamoeba coli (P = 0.79 %) and from the helminths Ascaris lumbricoides (P = 3.73 %). The highest prevalence of protozoan infections (P = 3.27 %) was found in the age group 8 – 18 yearly and helminthic infections (P = 5.84 %) in the lowest age group of children at the age of 1 month to 7 years. Almost regularly, there was most frequently infection with Endolimax nana, Giardia intestinalis and Ascaris lumbricoides. By comparison of all age categories, a high statistical significance of differences in the prevalence of helminthiases was found, which most frequently infected children aged from 1 month to 7 years (X2, p≤ 0.0001). The statistical significance of differences in the incidence of protozoan infections (X2, p≤ 0.01) and helminthiases (X2, p≤ 0.0001) was recorded between the compared regions of Slovakia (Western, Central and Eastern Slovakia) with the highest prevalence in the eastern region of Slovakia.


Objective: To evaluate the risk of intestinal parasite infection in diabetic patients compared to healthy people. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective case-type study including 50 healthy consultant patients and 50 diabetic patients at the Avicenna Military Hospital of Marrakech. The study takes place within the Department of Parasitology - Mycology of the Avicenna Military Hospital of Marrakech in collaboration with the endocrinology department of the same hospital. The study subjects are divided into two groups, one group includes patients with DS who were randomly selected from those followed for diabetes registered and one control group selected and matched with the DS Group for age and sex, the duration of study is two months from 01/06/2018 to 01/09/2018. Three samples are included and obtained from patients after the complete explanation of the process for them and then collected at the parasitology laboratory. For each coprological sample, we performed a parasitological examination of the stool in the fresh state and after Lugol staining. A concentration by Bailenger technique and a Ziehl-Neelsen stain modified with a centrifugation pellet was carried out. Results: The study group consisted of 50 diabetic patients (24 men and 26 women) and 50 control subjects (28 men and 22 women) who were not affected. Parasite infection rate was significantly higher in patients with DM 48% than in controls 10% (P <0.001). The distribution of risk factors in the two groups was not different. In our study, the most frequently found species was Blastocystis hominis (21 cases), followed by Entamoeba histolytica / Dispar (2cas) and Entamoeba coli (2cases). Only the level of Blastocystis hominis was significantly different between the two groups 42% for DM and 4% for control patients with P <0.050. Infection with two species was observed in a single patient with DM who had Entamoeba coli and Blastocystis hominis. Conclusion: Diabetic patients are at greater risk of developing parasitic infections than the normal population, and Blastocystis hominis is specifically an important opportunist in the gastrointestinal tract responsible for parasitic infections in diabetic patients.


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