scholarly journals A large outbreak of giardiasis in a municipality of the Bologna province, north-eastern Italy, November 2018 to April 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (35) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Resi ◽  
Stefania Varani ◽  
Anna Rosa Sannella ◽  
Alessandra M De Pascali ◽  
Margherita Ortalli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
Assemblage B

Giardiasis, the disease caused by the flagellate Giardia duodenalis (syn. G.lamblia, G. intestinalis), is the most commonly reported among the five food- and waterborne parasitic diseases under mandatory surveillance in 24 EU countries. From November 2018 to April 2019, an outbreak of giardiasis occurred in a municipality of the Bologna province, in north-eastern Italy. Microscopy and immunochromatography identified cysts and antigens, respectively, of the parasite in stool samples of 228 individuals. Molecular typing of 136 stool samples revealed a vast predominance (95%) of G. duodenalis assemblage B. Investigations into potential sources indicated tap water as the most likely vehicle of infection, although cysts were not detected in water samples. Control measures mostly aimed at preventing secondary transmission by informing citizens about the outbreak, and by treatment of patients with anti-parasitic drugs. This is the first documented human outbreak of giardiasis in Italy; its investigation has highlighted the difficulties in the timely detection and management of this parasite, which is often overlooked as a cause of human gastroenteritis. The long and variable incubation time, absence of specific symptoms and a general lack of awareness about this pathogen contributed to delay in diagnosis.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Giardia duodenalis in Children and Adults Sampled in Algeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Salem Belkessa ◽  
Daniel Thomas-Lopez ◽  
Karim Houali ◽  
Farida Ghalmi ◽  
Christen Rune Stensvold
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Assemblage B

The molecular epidemiology of giardiasis in Africa remains unclear. A study was carried out across four hospitals in Algeria. A total of 119 fecal samples from 55 children, 37 adults, and 27 individuals of undetermined age, all scored positive for intestinal parasites by microscopy, and were screened by real-time PCR for Giardia. Molecular characterization of Giardia was performed by assemblage-specific PCR and PCR targeting the triose phosphate isomerase gene (tpi). Of the 119 samples, 80 (67%) were Giardia-positive by real-time PCR. For 48 moderately-highly real-time PCR-positive samples, tpi genotyping assigned 22 samples to Assemblage A and 26 to Assemblage B. Contrary to Assemblage A, Assemblage B exhibited substantial genetic diversity and allelic heterozygosity. Assemblage-specific PCR proved to be specific for discriminating Assemblage A or B but not as sensitive as tpi genotyping. We confirmed that real-time PCR is more sensitive than microscopy for detecting Giardia in stool samples and that robust amplification and sequencing of the tpi gene is feasible when moderate-to-strongly real-time PCR-positive samples are used. This study is one of the few performed in Africa providing genotyping data on Giardia infections in humans. Both assemblages A and B were commonly seen and not associated with specific sociodemographic data.

Identification of a novel assemblage G subgenotype and a zoonotic assemblage B in rodent isolates of Giardia duodenalis in the Canary Islands, Spain

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
ÁNGELA FERNÁNDEZ-ÁLVAREZ ◽  
AARÓN MARTÍN-ALONSO ◽  
NÉSTOR ABREU-ACOSTA ◽  
CARLOS FELIU ◽  
JEAN-PIERRE HUGOT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
La Palma ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Assemblage B

SUMMARYThe flagellated parasite Giardia duodenalis is known as one of the most common causes of protozoal diarrhoea in both humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the present work was to perform the first study of G. duodenalis in rodents in the Canary Islands (Spain) and analyse the level of genetic variation and the potential zoonotic role of the isolates. Stool samples were collected from 284 wild rodents and Giardia cysts were detected by light microscopy. The overall prevalence of giardiasis was 25·4% and ranged from 19·4% in El Hierro to 34% in Gran Canaria. Positive samples were further characterized by PCR and nucleotide sequencing of the triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), β-giardin (BG) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) genes. Our study revealed assemblage G as the most frequent genotype and identified two rodent-infecting G. duodenalis haplotypes of this assemblage, HI and HII. Phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of haplotype HI, which we suggest to be considered as a novel G. duodenalis sub-assemblage GII, due to the high genetic distances among this sub-genotype and assemblage G. Furthermore, G. duodenalis assemblage B was detected in an inhabited area in La Palma, a fact that may pose a potential risk of G. duodenalis transmission from rodents to humans.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Enteric Protists in Asymptomatic Schoolchildren and Their Legal Guardians in Madrid, Spain

Parasitologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-94
Author(s):  
Pamela Carolina Köster ◽  
Alejandro Dashti ◽  
Lucia Reh ◽  
Begoña Bailo ◽  
Marta Hernández-de-Mingo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Legal Guardians ◽  
Household Transmission ◽  
Blastocystis Sp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Single Child ◽  
Assemblage B

Asymptomatic carriage of diarrhoea-causing enteric protist parasites in the general population is poorly understood, particularly in medium- to high-income countries. This molecular epidemiological survey investigates the presence, molecular diversity, and household transmission of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp., and Enterocystozoon bieneusi in schoolchildren aged 2–13 years (n = 74) and their legal guardians (n = 6) in Madrid, Spain. Enteroparasite detection and genotyping was conducted in stool samples by molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods. Potential associations linked to infections were investigated through epidemiological questionnaires. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent enteric parasite found (14%, 95% CI: 7.1–23), followed by Blastocystis sp. (10%, 95% CI: 6.2–22) and Cryptosporidium spp. (3.8%, 95% CI: 0.78–11). None of the participants tested positive for E. bieneusi. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage B, sub-assemblage BIV in a single child. The three Cryptosporidium isolates obtained were assigned to C. hominis, two of them belonging to the gp60 subtype IbA10G2. Four Blastocystis subtypes were identified including ST2 (38%, 3/8), ST3 (25%, 2/8), ST4 (25%, 2/8), and ST8 (12%, 1/8). All G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium isolates were detected in children only. Blastocystis ST3 and ST4 were circulating in members of the same household. Blastocystis carriage rates increased with the age of the participants. Presence of diarrhoea-causing enteric protists was common in apparently healthy children.

scholarly journals Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis isolates in asymptomatic children attending daycare centre: evidence of high risk for anthroponotic transmission

2015 ◽  
Vol 144 (7) ◽  
pp. 1418-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. OLIVEIRA-ARBEX ◽  
E. B. DAVID ◽  
T. C. G. OLIVEIRA-SEQUEIRA ◽  
G. N. BITTENCOURT ◽  
S. GUIMARÃES
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Daycare Centre ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Asymptomatic Children ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Household Members ◽  
Assemblage B

SUMMARYGiardia duodenalis is a common intestinal parasite infecting children attending daycare centres. This study aimed to verify Giardia occurrence and the genotypes of isolates infecting children aged 0–6 years and workers at a daycare centre in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The families of children who tested positive for Giardia, were asked to provide stool samples from household members and their dogs. Samples (123 children, 14 centre employees, 44 household members, 19 children after treatment, and 20 dogs) were examined for intestinal parasites using concentration methods. DNA extracted from all samples was submitted for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and the amplicons generated were used for multilocus sequence typing of beta-giardin (bg), triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Giardia was detected in 15·9% and 28·6% of the 220 samples by microscopy and PCR, respectively. Analysis of sequences retrieved from 29 isolates revealed both assemblages A (31%) and B (69%). Sub-assemblages AII, BIII and BIV were identified and the alignment of the bg, gdh and tpi sequences revealed the presence of some single nucleotide polymorphisms, especially in assemblage B sequences. The higher predominance of assemblage B and the identification of the AII type support the view that anthroponotic transmission appears to be an important route of transmission in environments that concentrate children at an age when poor hygiene practices make them more vulnerable to such infection.

scholarly journals A Review of Chenopodium quinoa (Willd.) Diseases—An Updated Perspective

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1228
Author(s):  
Carla Colque-Little ◽  
Daniel Buchvaldt Amby ◽  
Christian Andreasen
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Ascochyta Caulina ◽  
Disease Diagnostics ◽  
And Control ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
Reduced Water

The journey of the Andean crop quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) to unfamiliar environments and the combination of higher temperatures, sudden changes in weather, intense precipitation, and reduced water in the soil has increased the risk of observing new and emerging diseases associated with this crop. Several diseases of quinoa have been reported in the last decade. These include Ascochyta caulina, Cercospora cf. chenopodii, Colletotrichum nigrum, C. truncatum, and Pseudomonas syringae. The taxonomy of other diseases remains unclear or is characterized primarily at the genus level. Symptoms, microscopy, and pathogenicity, supported by molecular tools, constitute accurate plant disease diagnostics in the 21st century. Scientists and farmers will benefit from an update on the phytopathological research regarding a crop that has been neglected for many years. This review aims to compile the existing information and make accurate associations between specific symptoms and causal agents of disease. In addition, we place an emphasis on downy mildew and its phenotyping, as it continues to be the most economically important and studied disease affecting quinoa worldwide. The information herein will allow for the appropriate execution of breeding programs and control measures.

Multihospital Outbreak ofClostridium difficileRibotype 027 Infection: Epidemiology and Analysis of Control Measures

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamoon A. Aldeyab ◽  
Michael J. Devine ◽  
Peter Flanagan ◽  
Michael Mannion ◽  
Avril Craig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Environmental Hygiene ◽  
Ribotype 027 ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
The Impact

Objective.To report a large outbreak ofClostridium difficileinfection (CDI; ribotype 027) between June 2007 and August 2008, describe infection control measures, and evaluate the impact of restricting the use of fluoroquinolones in controlling the outbreak.Design.Outbreak investigation in 3 acute care hospitals of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.Interventions.Implementation of a series of CDI control measures that targeted high-risk antibiotic agents (ie, restriction of fluoroquinolones), infection control practices, and environmental hygiene.Results.A total of 318 cases of CDI were identified during the outbreak, which was the result of the interaction betweenC. difficileribotype 027 being introduced into the affected hospitals for the first time and other predisposing risk factors (ranging from host factors to suboptimal compliance with antibiotic guidelines and infection control policies). The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 24.5%; however, CDI was the attributable cause of death for only 2.5% of the infected patients. Time series analysis showed that restricting the use of fluoroquinolones was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of CDI (coefficient, —0.054; lag time, 4 months;P= .003).Conclusion.These findings provide additional evidence to support the value of antimicrobial stewardship as an essential element of multifaceted interventions to control CDI outbreaks. The present CDI outbreak was ended following the implementation of an action plan improving communication, antibiotic stewardship, infection control practices, environmental hygiene, and surveillance.

Highly sensitive and specific detection of Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium spp. in human stool samples by the BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijo Parčina ◽  
Ingrid Reiter-Owona ◽  
Frank P. Mockenhaupt ◽  
Valerija Vojvoda ◽  
Jean Bosco Gahutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Specific Detection ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Human Stool

scholarly journals Characterization of Gnomoniopsis idaeicola, the Causal Agent of Canker and Wilting of Blackberry in Serbia

Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miloš Stevanović ◽  
Danijela Ristić ◽  
Svetlana Živković ◽  
Goran Aleksić ◽  
Ivana Stanković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
First Record ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Causal Agent ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Intraspecies Diversity ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Blackberry cane diseases with the symptoms of necrosis, canker, and wilting are caused by several fungi worldwide. Surveys conducted from 2013 to 2016 in Serbia revealed the occurrence of Gnomoniopsis idaeicola, the causal agent of cane canker and wilting, which was found to be distributed in almost half of the surveyed orchards, in three blackberry cultivars, and with disease incidence of up to 80%. Wide distribution and high disease incidence suggest that G. idaeicola has been present in Serbia for some time. Out of 427 samples, a total of 65 G. idaeicola isolates were obtained (isolation rate of 34.19%). Reference isolates, originating from different localities, were conventionally and molecularly identified and characterized. G. idaeicola was detected in single and mixed infections with fungi from genera Paraconiothyrium, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Botryosphaeria, Botrytis, Septoria, Neofusicoccum, and Discostroma, and no diagnostically specific symptoms could be related directly to the G. idaeicola infection. In orchards solely infected with G. idaeicola, blackberry plant mortality was up to 40%, and yield loses were estimated at 50%. G. idaeicola isolates included in this study demonstrated intraspecies diversity in morphological, biological, pathogenic, and molecular features, which indicates that population in Serbia may be of different origin. This is the first record of a massive outbreak of G. idaeicola infection, illustrating its capability of harmful influence on blackberry production. This study represents the initial step in studying G. idaeicola as a new blackberry pathogen in Serbia, aiming at developing efficient control measures.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding malaria among residents of rural Mangalore, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Animesh Gupta ◽  
Aishwarya Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background: Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and India has fourth highest number of malaria cases and deaths in the world. Prevention of the disease through better knowledge and awareness is the appropriate way to keep the disease away and remain healthy. Thus, the present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding malaria among residents of Mangalore.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among residents in Mangalore. The data was collected by using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which include socio-demographic data, basic knowledge about malaria, transmission and preventive measures and health seeking behaviour regarding malaria through interview method.Results: Almost 98.4% respondents heard of malaria disease and 96% respondents had knowledge that malaria is caused by mosquito bite. Even, majority (72%) of respondents knew that malaria can be fatal. Regarding the symptoms of malaria, 52.4% respondents mentioned fever with chills and 11.6% respondents don’t know about malarial symptoms.Conclusions: Majority of the respondents were familiar with the malaria symptoms, mode of transmission and vector control measures. They had good knowledge of malaria disease and good practices of malaria control measures.

scholarly journals Refractory Giardiasis in an Immunosuppressed Patient in Turkey

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 204-207
Author(s):  
Filiz Kaya ◽  
Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya ◽  
Salih Maçin ◽  
Yakut Akyön ◽  
Sibel Ergüven
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Chronic Diarrhoea ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patient ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Giardia Infection ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Higher Doses ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis. In immunocompetent patients the infection is usually self-limited and no treatment may be needed. Immunodeficiency, however, is a predisposing factor for the development of severe Giardia infection. In this report, a case of recurrent giardiasis refractory to nitroimidazoles and nitazoxanides presented. A 28-year-old male patient with hypogammaglobulinemia admitted to our hospital because of chronic diarrhoea. Microscopic examination of stool revealed a high number of Giardia trophozoites and cysts. Treatment with higher doses and a longer course of metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ornidazole and albendazole failed. Administration of nitazoxanide, which has been reported to be effective against Giardia duodenalis refractory to nitroimidazoles, was commenced, but his symptoms persisted and stool samples demonstrated Giardia trophozoites and cysts again.

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