scholarly journals Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis Infection in Children Attending Daycare Centers in Medellín, Colombia

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 669
Author(s):  
Maria I. Osorio-Pulgarin ◽  
Adriana Higuera ◽  
Juan C. Beltran-Álzate ◽  
Miryan Sánchez-Jiménez ◽  
Juan David Ramírez

Background: The present study aims to perform an epidemiological and molecular characterization of Blastocystis infection in a child population attending daycare centers of Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A total of 265 children aged 0–5 years were enrolled in five children’s centers in urban sectors of Medellín, northwestern Colombia. Stool samples were taken to identify intestinal parasites by direct examination, Ritchie–Frick concentration, and molecular identification of Blastocystis by conventional PCR and subtype (ST) identification by PCR barcoding with subsequent phylogenetic reconstruction. Kappa index was calculated to evaluate the agreement between microscopy and PCR for the diagnosis of Blastocystis. Results: The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was 36.6% (97/265), with Blastocystis as the most frequent parasitic protozoan at 15.8% (42/265), followed by Giardia intestinalis at 15.5% (41/265) and Endolimax nana at 15.1% (40/265). The prevalence of Blastocystis by PCR was 53.2% (141/265), the subtypes identified were ST3 at 30.5% (18/59), ST2 at 23.7% (14/59), ST1 at 20.3% (12/59), and with less frequency, ST4 at 5.1% (3/59), ST6 at 1.7% (1/59) and ST16 at 15.3% (9/59) allele 162. Conclusion: This study provides the first genetic characterization of Blastocystis subtypes circulating in a population of Medellín, Colombia, and also updates the epidemiology of Blastocystis subtypes in the world with the first identification of ST16 in humans.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Salem Belkessa ◽  
Daniel Thomas-Lopez ◽  
Karim Houali ◽  
Farida Ghalmi ◽  
Christen Rune Stensvold

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.


F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Tarig A. Gamar ◽  
Hassan H. Musa ◽  
Hisham N. Altayb ◽  
Mohamed H. Mohamed ◽  
Adam D. Abakar

Background: Hookworms infect the intestines, cause an itchy rash, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, and eventually iron deficiency (anaemia) due to the ongoing loss of blood. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and molecular characterization of hookworms isolated from food handlers attending the Public Health Laboratories in Khartoum state, Sudan, for annual check-ups, and to assess the efficiency of PCR as molecular probe for hookworm infection. Methods: A total of 350 foods handlers’ participant's stool samples who were not suspected to be infected with hookworms were studied. Conventional methods were applied to make an early diagnosis. Stool samples were collected from public health laboratories (the public health lab in the Medical Commission) of Khartoum State; Omdurman locality, Khartoum North locality and Khartoum locality between October 2016 and April 2017. Specific identification was made by PCR on specimens identified as positive by Baermann’s technique, which were then sequence and genotyped Results: The prevalence of hookworms in the stool samples of food-handlers was 1.43%. One larval specimen recovered by Baermann’s technique was confirmed to be Necator americanus by PCR. PCR also confirmed that Necator americanus was the common species isolated from four further specimens. The results of DNA sequencing for Necator americanus were deposited in NCBI GenBank under the following accession numbers: sample 91, MH035824; sample 92, MH035825; sample 294, MH035826; and sample 319 MH035827. Conclusion: PCR was found to be effective for confirmation of the diagnosis of hookworm infection and can aid the clinician in initiating prompt and appropriate antiparasite therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan K.M. Fofana ◽  
Maren Schwarzkopf ◽  
Mama N. Doumbia ◽  
Rénion Saye ◽  
Anna Nimmesgern ◽  
...  

Intestinal parasite infections are frequent causes of diarrhea and malnutrition among children in the tropics. Transmission of helminths and intestinal protozoa is intimately connected with conditions of poverty, including inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Concurrent infections with several intestinal pathogens may lead to excess morbidity. Yet, there is a paucity of epidemiological data from Mali. In this study, stool samples from 56 individuals, aged 2–63 years, from Bamako and Niono, south-central Mali were examined for intestinal parasites using stool microscopy. Additionally, stool samples were subjected to a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis. The predominant pathogens were Schistosoma mansoni and G. intestinalis with prevalences of 41% and 38%, respectively. Hymenolepis nana was detected in 4% of the participants, while no eggs of soil-transmitted helminths were found. Concurrent infections with G. intestinalis and S. mansoni were diagnosed in 16% of the participants. For the detection of G. intestinalis, PCR was more sensitive (100%) than RDT (62%) and microscopy (48%). As helminth-protozoa coinfections might have important implications for morbidity control programs, future studies should employ diagnostic tools beyond stool microscopy to accurately assess the co-endemicity of giardiasis and schistosomiasis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prapaporn Khoonta ◽  
Piyada Linsuwanon ◽  
Nawarat Posuwan ◽  
Sompong Vongpunsawad ◽  
Sunchai Payungporn ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renay Ngobeni ◽  
Amidou Samie

Abstract BACKGROUND: Even though E. histolytica is recognized as an effective pathogen, what determines the outcome of this infection is still not well understood. The present study was carried out to determine the genetic characteristics of E. histolytica isolates from two different regions in South Africa. METHOD: Diarrheal and non-diarrheal stool samples were collected from patients of all ages from Giyani and Pretoria. Different PCR protocols were used to identify E. histolytica and amplify the serine rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP) and chitinase genes. The profiles obtained were compared among the different samples.RESULTS: Out of 111 stool samples collected, 51 were positive by either PCR or microscopy and 14 samples were positive by both methods. The serine- rich E. histolytica protein was amplified in 26 samples. Out of the 26 samples (19) different SREHP profiles were obtained. SREHP #2 was obtained in 5 different samples, 4 from Pretoria and 1 from Giyani (2 diarrheal and 3 non-diarrheal). The chitinase gene was amplified from 51 samples and 22 different chitinase profiles were obtained. Of all the profiles, profile #4 was found in 6 different isolates, 5 from Giyani and 1 from Pretoria (3 symptomatic and 3 asymptomatic). However, profile # 18 was only found in formed stools from Giyani. CONCLUSIONS. The results obtained in this study have further confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of E. histolytica for the SREHP and chitinase genes which might have a significant influence in the outcome of amebic infection, depending on the genetic profile of the infecting strain.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Seifollahi ◽  
Bahador Sarkari ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Motazedian ◽  
Qasem Asgari ◽  
Mohammad Javad Ranjbar ◽  
...  

Backgrounds. Wild rodents are reservoirs of various zoonotic diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, and leishmaniasis. The current study aimed to assess the protozoan infection of rodents in Boyer-Ahmad district, southwestern Iran.Materials and Methods. A total of 52 rodents were collected from different parts of Boyer-Ahmad district, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, using Sherman live traps. Each rodent was anesthetized with ether, according to the ethics of working with animals, and was dissected. Samples were taken from various tissues and stool samples were collected from the contents of the colon and small intestines. Moreover, 2 to 5 mL of blood was taken from each of the rodents and the sera were examined for anti-Leishmaniaantibodies, by ELISA, or anti-T. gondiiantibodies, by modified agglutination test (MAT). DNA was extracted from brain tissue samples of each rodent and PCR was used to identify the DNA ofT. gondii.Results. Of the 52 stool samples of rodents studied by parasitological methods, intestinal protozoa infection was seen in 28 cases (53.8%). From 52 rodents, 19 (36.5%) were infected withTrichomonas, 10 (19.2%) withGiardia muris, and 11 (21.2%) withEntamoebaspp. Also, 10 cases (19.2%) were infected withBlastocystis, 3 (5.8%) were infected withChilomastix, 7 (13.5%) were infected withEndolimax, 1 (1.9%) was infected withRetortamonas, 3 (5.77%) were infected withT. gondii, and 6 (11.54%) were infected withTrypanosoma lewisi. Antibodies toT. gondiiwere detected in the sera of 5 (9.61%) cases. Results of the molecular study showedT. gondiiinfection in 3 (5.77%) of the rodents. Findings of this study showed that rodents in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, southwestern Iran, are infected with several blood and intestinal parasites; some of them might be potential risks to residents and domestic animals in the region.


Antibiotics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Mizrahi ◽  
Hamo ◽  
Azrad ◽  
Peretz

In recent years, the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infections has increased.Additionally, resistance of C. difficile to frequently used antibiotics is rising. To improve ourunderstanding of C. difficile, there is a need for molecular characterization of different strains andantibiotic resistance testing. We investigated the efficacy of GenoType CDiff kit (Hain Lifesciences)in identification of C. difficile and its various strains in northern Israel. The kit involves a molecularassay that detects C. difficile from stool samples or colonies and identifies the different strains andmutations in the gyrA gene that cause moxifloxacin resistance. Forty‐nine C. difficile positive sampleswere examined by the kit following DNA extraction from both colonies and stool. The identificationrate (95.9%) of C. difficile was much higher when DNA was extracted from colonies, compared toextraction from stool (46.9%). Low frequencies of ribotype027 strain (2%) and of ribotype078 strain(4%) were found. There was a high concordance between genotype (mutation in gyrA) andphenotype (Etest) for moxifloxacin resistance (Kappa=0.72). A high percentage of moxifloxacinresistantstrains was found. Our findings indicate that the GenoType CDiff kit is very effective incharacterization of C. difficile strains and less effective for identification of C. difficile directly fromstool samples.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érica David ◽  
Semíramis Guimarães ◽  
Ana de Oliveira ◽  
Teresa Goulart de Oliveira-Sequeira ◽  
Gabriela Nogueira Bittencourt ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sandra Moura Costa ◽  
Paulo Afonso Nogueira ◽  
Gleicienne Félix Magalhães ◽  
Paula Taquita ◽  
Luis André Mariúba ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: During the period from 2000 to 2002, 79 rotavirus-positive stool samples were collected from children presenting diarrhea in the Western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: Molecular characterization of the G and P genotypes was performed using RT-PCR and electropherotyping analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: A total of 59 samples were confirmed as group A rotavirus. A long electrophoretic profile was exhibited by the G1P[8], G3P[8], and G4P[8] genotypes. The G1P[8] genotype was found in greater proportion. The short electropherotype was exhibited only by G2 genotype strains. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the rotavirus genotypes observed was not different from that in other areas of Brazil. This study is the first genotyping of rotavirus in the Western Brazilian Amazon.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina A. Tranbenkova ◽  
Sergei E. Spiridonov

SummaryThe nematodes of the genus Baylisascaris are common intestinal parasites of sables (Martes (M.) zibellina kamtschadalica Birula, 1916) on the entire territory of Kamchatka peninsula. Partial sequences of Cox I mitochondrial gene were used for molecular characterization of these nematodes, which confirmed the identification based on morphological data as B. devosi Sprent, 1952. Phylogenetic relationships of this Baylisascaris species were also inferred from the ITS rDNA and LSU rDNA sequences. SEM images were provided for taxonomically important morphological features.


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