Ascariasis in a 75-year-old man with small bowel volvulus: a case report

Background Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum are the most common soil-transmitted helminths of humans and pigs, respectively. The zoonotic potential of A. suum has been a matter of debate for decades. This study was aimed to present a case of human ascariasis caused by A. suum in southern Italy. Case presentation A 75-year-old man presented to the department of surgery in Avellino (southern Italy) complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Physical examination revealed bloating and abdominal tenderness. A computed tomography scan showed air-fluid levels and small bowel distension. During exploratory laparotomy a small bowel volvulus with mesenteritis was evident and surprisingly an intraluminal worm was detected. The worm was removed with a small enterotomy and identified as an adult female of A. suum based on morphological and molecular analysis. Faecal examination revealed the presence of unfertilized Ascaris eggs with an intensity of 16 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces. The patient was treated with mebendanzole 100 mg twice a day for 3 days. The post-operative course was regular with re-alimentation after 3 days and discharge after 12 days. Conclusions This report shows as A. suum can function as a relevant agent of human zoonosis. Therefore, in patients with bowel obstruction with no evident aetiology a helminthic infestation should be considered for an accurate diagnosis, especially in patients living in rural areas.

Application of urine antigen assay to evaluate outcomes of praziquantel treatment and reinfection in opisthorchiasis in northeast Thailand

Background A urine antigen assay was applied to evaluate chemotherapeutic outcomes and reinfection patterns of opisthorchiasis in Thailand. Methods We used a prospective study design by following opisthorchiasis subjects at baseline and post-treatment using a urine antigen assay and faecal examination by the formalin–ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT). Results The antigen of Opisthorchis viverrini in urine diminished within 4 weeks after praziquantel treatment. Concurrent faecal examinations by FECT showed that faecal eggs were negative at 4 weeks after treatment. In a subsequent study, reinfection rates and intensity patterns of O. viverrini were evaluated at 48 weeks after praziquantel treatment. Within a group of subjects with curative treatment (n=137), 16.8% became reinfected according to FECT and 27.7% according to the urine antigen assay (p<0.05). There were significant correlations in intensity of infection between pretreatment and at 48 weeks post-treatment in both faecal egg counts and antigen levels in urine. Conclusions The results suggested that in addition to screening, the urine antigen assay is an efficient tool for monitoring outcomes of drug treatment and reinfection in opisthorchiasis. Due to the ease of urine sample collection and handling, the urine assay becomes an alternative method to faecal examination for diagnosis and monitoring of opisthorchiasis.

Assessment of the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections among patients at the Laboratory of Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin in the years 1983–2012

Introduction: Intestinal parasitoses are among the most common parasitic diseases in Poland.The aim of this study was to assess their prevalence in patients of the Laboratory of the Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology (LDBMP) of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin (PMU) in the years 1983–2012.Materials and methods: The analysis concerned the results of parasitological surveys conducted between 1983–2012 in 9760 patients. Parasitological diagnosis was performed by standard faecal examination method (direct swab) and/or perianal swab.Results: During the study period, 486 cases of infection with intestinal parasites were recorded. The mean prevalence of intestinal parasites was 4.98%, and the percentage of infected patients ranged from 8.8% in 1993 to 0% in 2002. The most frequently detected parasitic species were: Entamoeba coli (1.52%), Giardia lamblia (0.95%), Blastocystis spp. (0.89%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.79%), and Taenia saginata (0.36%). In the period 2003–2012 the most prevalent parasites were Blastocystis spp., E. coli, and E. vermicularis. An increase in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections from 2009–2012 was associated with an increase in the prevalence of Blastocystis spp.Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasites among the patients of the LDBMP in the years 1983–2012 was lower in comparison with other Polish regions. The high prevalence of 2 protozoan species – potentially pathogenic Blastocystis spp. and non-pathogenic E. coli – among intestinal parasites detected in the years 2003–2012 may indicate improvement in the epidemiological situation regarding intestinal parasitoses in patients of the LDBMP in comparison to the 1980s and 1990s.

Laporan Kasus: Penanganan Dipylidiasis pada Kucing Anggora dengan Praziquantel

Dipylidiasis is a tapeworm disease that attacks cats and dogs and classified as a zoonotic disease because it can be transmitted to humans. A 2 years old female angora cat weighing 3 kg was examined with complaints of bloody diarrhea for 2 weeks. The results of native faecal examination showed the presence of D. caninum worm eggs. Animals diagnosed with dipylidiasis. Cat cases were treated by administering 50 mg praziquantel therapy with the recommendation of 1 tablet for 10 kg/BW orally. In conclusion, the treatment of dipylidiasis by administering praziquantel therapy has proven to be effective.

Identification of Worm Eggs in Faeces of Egrets (Egretta sp.) in Surabaya

The aim of this research was to identify worm eggs species that infected Egrets in Surabaya. A total of 40 samples were taken and faecal examination was conducted in the Laboratory by means of native, sedimentation, and floating methods, In floating method saturated brown sugar solution was used as floating media because brown sugar solution was faster in floating worm eggs. Then further examination of the worm eggs species were matched by microscopic taxonomy and textbook comparison observation. Eggs of three classes of helmints, Trematode, Cestode, and Nematode were found in faeces of Egrets in Surabaya. Species of the Nematode eggs found were Ascaris sp., Ascaridia galli, , Capillaria sp., Toxocara cati. Species of Cestode class egg found were Raillietina sp, from Trematode class were Echinostoma revolutum.

Rare case of Angiostrongylus vasorum intraocular infestation in an asymptomatic dog

SummaryThe presented clinical observation shows an atypical case of Angiostrongylus vasorum intraocular infection in an 18-month-old male beagle from north-eastern Slovakia. The dog presented with a motile worm in the anterior chamber of the right eye. No ocular signs or symptoms of a systemic disease were observed. The faecal examination using Baermann´s technique and fl otation was negative. Diagnosis was established following surgical removal of the worm. The specimen was determined as an A. vasorum female based on morphological features and confirmed by means of PCR technique and sequencing. To the best of our knowledge, the presented manifestation is the first ocular case of angiostrongylosis with absence of typical symptoms or signs of the disease.

Experimental infection with T. canis and T. leonina in farm mink (Neovison vison)

Introduction: Farm mink (Neovison vison) can be naturally exposed to T. canis and T. leonina pathogens on the farm. If mink were hosts, it would imply some veterinary public health as well as animal welfare issues. For this reason, the aim of the study was to determine whether mink might be definitive or paratenic hosts of these parasites. Material and Methods: Four groups of mink were infected with both parasite species using larvated eggs or feed containing mouse tissue previously infected with the parasites. Following inoculation, the infections were monitored in vivo by faecal examination for 14 weeks p.i., and then western blotting and ELISA were performed. Results: Coprology did not reveal any canine roundworm eggs, neither were nematodes found in mink intestines during post mortem examination. The specific IgG antibodies recognising excretory/secretory (ES) antigens of both parasite species were identified in mink sera. Single T. leonina tissue larvae were found in digested organs. Conclusions: Our results confirm that farm mink may contribute both T. canis and T. leonina infections. It was proved that farm mink were not their definitive hosts, and therefore mink faeces need not be considered a source of canine roundworm eggs in any soil it fertilises. Nonetheless, as farm mink may be a paratenic host for both parasite species, this may have some impact on the health and welfare of infected animals.

Overview of Seasonal Prevalence of Liver Fluke & Rumen Fluke Infestation in Cattle and Buffalo of Western Chitwan, Nepal

Fluke infestation in domestic animals is one of the major problems of farmers in tropical condition of Chitwan. A prospective study was done in western Chitwan, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, ward 26 &16, Nepal in two different seasons-summer and winter to describe the seasonal prevalence of fluke infestation in dairy cattle and buffalo. Sedimentation technique of faecal examination was performed to recover the parasite eggs. In the study, the prevalence of fluke infestation was found to be higher in the summer (26%) than in winter (22%). Similarly, among cattle Jersey cross (39.5%) showed the highest infestation of flukes among the breeds followed by Jersey (12.5%), among the buffalo breed the rate of infestation was found higher in Murrah cross (21.4%) followed by local (20.0%). No Murrah breed in the study were positive for GI parasite. In the study carried out in 38 calf, 7 heifer and 55 mother the faecal examination for fluke egg was positive 26.3% of calves, 28.6% of heifers and 21.8% of mothers respectively. Out of 43 buffalo and 57 cattle the parasitic infestation was found in 18.6% and 28.1% of sample respectively. Although cattle were seen more susceptible to flukes, the relation was not statistically significant. The study shows that the fluke infestation may be producing subsequent production loss due to its high prevalence in dairy cattle and buffalo.

Establishing infection with Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst From Bovine origin in dogs

Establishing infection with Echinococcus granulosus had often created a challenge where by the actual role of the different Intermediate hosts could not be precisely determined. This study was consequently planned to examine the efficiency of cattle as intermediate hosts in the transmission of E. granulosus to canine final hosts. A modified procedure was followed where dogs were fed whole viable hydatid cysts as compared to viable protoscoleces obtained from hydatid sand mixed with meat. Successful transmission was attained as indicated by the presence of ova at faecal examination and adult worm recovery at post – mortem examination. The pre-patent period ranged between 30 – 42 days. It was apparent that the non capsulated protoscoleces were defected to the extend that they could not develop to maturity in the dog’s viscera. This modification needs to be applied to verify the efficiency of different intermediate hosts in the transmission cycle of Echinococcosis.