Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites on Beef Cattle in Jombang District

The disease that is quite detrimental to cattle is gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Gastrointestinal parasites infect the cattle by taking host nutrients that would caused emaciation, lethargy, and decreased productivity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Jombang District. This research was conducted in July to August 2019 with 100 samples of cattle feces. Sample examinations were carried out in the laboratory of the Division of Veterinary Parasitology, Universitas Airlangga using the sedimentation and floating methods. Detection of parasites in all samples using microscope with magnification of 100x and 400x. On examination, several types of parasites were found included Strongyloides papillosus, Toxocara vitulorum, Oesophagostomum spp., Moniezia expansa, Blastocystis spp. and Eimeria spp. The results of this study were found the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites on beef cattle in Jombang district was 35% with a worm infection prevalence of 15% and protozoan infections of 20%.

The Coexistence of Blastocystis spp. in Humans, Animals and Environmental Sources from 2010–2021 in Asia

Blastocystis spp. are controversial unicellular protists that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of humans and a wide range of animals worldwide. This review provides an overview of the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes throughout Asia. Research articles reporting on the presence of Blastocystis spp. in locations within Asia, between 1 January 2010, and 10 May 2021, were obtained from Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In 427 articles, the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in 31 countries within the last decade was revealed. Isolates were found in humans, various mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, water sources, vegetables, and ambient air. Prevalence of Blastocystis spp. varied widely across host categories. Subtypes identified throughout Asia were STs 1–14, and ST18–22 (novel subtypes). ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were the most frequently isolated in humans; ST5 in pigs; ST10 and ST14 in goats, sheep, and cattle; and ST6 and ST7 in chickens. ST1 and ST3 were most common in water samples. ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5 and ST6 were shared by humans, animals, and water sources. There is a growing interest in the study of Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes in Asia. Due to the isolation of Blastocystis spp. from biotic and abiotic sources in Asia, the application of the One Health (OH) approach to the study of Blastocystis spp. is proposed for improved perception of this organism.

IS BLASTOCYST INVASION A COMORBID PATHOLOGY?

Blastocystis spp. - unicellular protozoa, widespread in the human population, the clinical significance of which is being discussed. The aim and objectives of the work: to study the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastrointestinal diseases and individuals with immunodeficiency states (HIV-positive patients), to determine the presence of specific gastrointestinal symptoms in blastocyst invasion (BI). Testing for Blastocystis spp. persons who have not been diagnosed with gastrointestinal tract disease (253) - comparison group (CG); patients who underwent inpatient or outpatient treatment for gastrointestinal diseases - GI-1 (182); people living with HIV (PLHIV) - GI-2 (294). With the consent of the patient, data on the duration of the illness and complaints were obtained. In IG-2 patients, the immune status, the level of HIV viral load, as well as the receipt and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were determined. Detection rate of Blastocystis spp. in the CG was (22.9 ± 3.0)%; in GI-1 - (29.7 ± 4.0)%, in the PLHIV group - (14.3 ± 2.0)%. In the comparison group, invasion was more often detected in people 20-29 years old, in GI-1 - in people 50-60 years old, GI-2 - in 30-39 years old. Statistically significant differences in the detection of Blastocystis spp. those related to sex and age were absent in all groups. BI was most often found in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases - (43.5 ± 8.4)%. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, the of frequency of detection of Blastocystis spp. practically did not differ from the average indicator in the GI. Identification of Blastocystis spp. in PLHIV was associated with immune status, the level of HIV viral load in the patient, and also receiving ART. The «risk group» was PLHIV with a CD4-lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells / μl, who did not receive ART. Comparison of the patient survey data and the results of the parasitological examination indicates the absence of specific complaints in BI. BI often is а comorbid pathology in inflammatory bowel diseases or immunosuppressive conditions, which should be taken into account in the therapy of such patients. Key words: blastocyst infection; gastrointestinal diseases; HIV infection.

Comparação de técnicas no diagnóstico enteroparasitário em pacientes HIV positivo no alto pantanal

O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar frequencia de amostras positivas entre técnicas coprológicas no diagnóstico de enteroparasitas em pacientes portadores do vírus HIV no Alto Pantanal. Foram coletadas e analisadas amostras fecais de 28 pacientes portadores do vírus HIV, em que as técnicas utilizadas foi a de sedimentação espontânea, método de centrífugo-flutuação em solução de sacarose e a técnica com coloração de Safranina. Na técnica de Hoffman a maior positividade de enteroparasitas foi a observada para o protozoário Blastocystis spp. comum a frequência de 52,38%, seguido por Giardia lamblia com 21,47%. Em Sheather a maior positividade também foi Blastocystis spp. 63,8%, seguido por Giardia lamblia 33,33%. A técnica utilizando o corante de Safranina possível identificação de quatro protozoários que não foram visualizados nas técnicas de sedimentação e flutuação. O princípio que diferem as técnicas de flutuação e sedimentação no diagnóstico não condiz com os resultados observados nesse estudo, tendo em vista que ambas as técnicas apresentaram eficiência na detecção de protozoários, como o Blastocystis spp. e Giardia lamblia, independentemente de estarem ou não em soluções saturadas. Sendo assim, para garantir melhor resultado, a associação de técnicas resulta sempre em maior confiabilidade, principalmente quando se utilizam técnicas de fundamentos diferentes.

Met Metabolismo intermediario de Blastocystis spp

Blastocystis es un stramenopile o cromista, pleomórfico no móvil. Se han identificado diecinueve subtipos de este organismo (ST1-ST19). Tiene una presencia a nivel mundial. Este microorganismo tiene un metabolismo intermediario anaeróbico. Un aspecto interesante de la bioquímica de este stramenopile está dado por la presencia de organelas similares a mitocondrias con un conjunto de rutas: cadena de fosforilación oxidativa incompleta, ciclo de Krebs parcial, metabolismo de ácidos grasos (anabolismo y catabolismo), metabolismo de aminoácidos y ensamblaje de proteínas con centros hierro/azufre. El tratamiento se ha basado tradicionalmente en metronidazol y otros imidazoles. Sin embargo, hay un número creciente de cepas resistentes a esos medicamentos. La reciente obtención del genoma nuclear y los estudios bioquímicos, proteómicos, metabolómicos, interactómicos permitirán el desarrollo racional de nuevos fármacos curativos. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir el metabolismo de Blastocystis spp.

Frecuencia de enteroparásitos en primates Cebidae y Callitrichidae del Zoológico de Cali, Colombia: implicaciones zoonóticas

Introducción. Los enteroparásitos pueden generar problemas en animales bajo cuidado humano en zoológicos y centros de acogida. Los animales silvestres presentan bajas cargas parasitarias, pero estas pueden ser mayores y llevar a manifestaciones clínicas cuando se trata de animales resguardados en recintos, lo que aumenta los gastos en tratamientos y cuidados médicos. Por otro lado, algunos enteroparásitos pueden causar infecciones zoonóticas en los cuidadores, los visitantes y otros animales del zoológico, así como afectar los programas de recuperación de especies amenazadas de extinción.Objetivos. Determinar la presencia y prevalencia de enteroparásitos con potencial de transmisión zoonótica en primates de las familias Cebidae y Callitrichidae del Zoológico de Cali, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal prospectivo, para lo cual se recolectaron muestras seriadas de 50 individuos pertenecientes a siete especies de dos familias de primates y se analizaron mediante examen coprológico, flotación y coloración Kinyoun, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017.Resultados. Según su prevalencia, los géneros de parásitos hallados en las siete especies de primates evaluadas, fueron Blastocystis spp., Trichomonas spp., Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Strongyloides spp., Cyclospora sp. y Trichuris sp.Conclusiones. Por lo menos, seis de los géneros de parásitos identificados tienen implicaciones zoonóticas, lo cual hace necesario establecer las posibles vías de infección de los primates del Zoológico de Cali e implementar protocolos de manejo que reduzcan el riesgo de transmisión a los humanos y a otros animales de la colección. Además, se presenta la información relevante sobre el potencial zoonótico de los enteroparásitos hallados.

Occurrence of Ten Protozoan Enteric Pathogens in Three Non-Human Primate Populations

Non-human primate populations act as potential reservoirs for human pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, which can lead to zoonotic infections. Furthermore, intestinal microorganisms may be pathogenic organisms to both non-human primates and humans. It is, therefore, essential to study the prevalence of these infectious agents in captive and wild non-human primates. This study aimed at showing the prevalence of the most frequently encountered human enteric protozoa in non-human primate populations based on qPCR detection. The three populations studied were common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Senegal and gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) in the Republic of the Congo and in the Beauval Zoo (France). Blastocystis spp. were mainly found, with an occurrence close to 100%, followed by Balantidiumcoli (23.7%), Giardiaintestinalis (7.9%), Encephalitozoonintestinalis (1.3%) and Dientamoebafragilis (0.2%). None of the following protozoa were detected: Entamoebahistolytica, Enterocytozoonbieneusi, Cryptosporidiumparvum, C. hominis, Cyclosporacayetanensis or Cystoisosporabelli. As chimpanzees and gorillas are genetically close to humans, it is important to monitor them frequently against different pathogens to protect these endangered species and to assess potential zoonotic transmissions to humans.

Prevalence and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis hominis Isolated from Patients in the Northeast of Iran

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis spp. remains controversial, and it has been suggested that it may be associated with specific subtypes of the organism. This study identified the B. hominis subtypes and their prevalence rates in the northeast of Iran. A total of 1878 samples were collected from the northeast of Iran from January to December 2017. The patients’ demographic details were recorded. Samples were examined by a wet mount, and genomic DNA was extracted from positive samples. Also, PCR was done on the positive samples, and sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were subsequently performed. From 1878 collected stool samples, 152 (8.1%) Blastocystis samples were detected by the microscopic method. Of the 152 samples, Blastocystis spp. were found in 53.6% of the men and 28.9% of the women who showed clinical gastrointestinal symptoms, and a significant relationship was observed between gender and clinical symptoms ( P = 0.002 ). A meaningful relationship was found between the season and infection with this parasite ( P value = 0.003). The results of the sequencing of 22 PCR products showed the dominance of ST3, which was isolated from 10 (45.45%) patients, while ST1, ST2, and ST7 were found in 4 (18.19%), 7 (31.81%), and 1 (4.55%) patients, respectively. In this study, ST7 had a low prevalence in the northeast of Iran, and similar to previous studies, ST3 was the dominant subtype.

The Prevalence of Blastocystis Infection in Pediatric Patients with Malignancy: A Single-Center Study in Ahvaz, Iran

Background: Blastocystis spp. is known as one of the few intestinal parasites, prevalent in more than 5% and 30 - 60% of the population in industrialized and developing countries, respectively. In this respect, immunocompromised individuals, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with malignancies, are at risk of the clinical symptoms of Blastocystis infection; however, the given condition is often self-limiting in healthy individuals. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Blastocystis infection in children with malignancies receiving chemo drugs. Methods: The current descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 52 stool specimens collected from patients with cancer admitted to the Oncology Ward of Shahid Baqaei 2 Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, for six months. A standardized questionnaire was filled out for all cases. Each specimen was also prepared using direct smear, the Lugol iodine staining, and the formalin-ether condensation method. Results: Blastocystis spp. was detected in 21.1% of the cases among them, 11.5% demonstrated gastrointestinal symptoms; therefore, a significant relationship was observed between Blastocystis infection and gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: Patients undergoing chemotherapy should be screened for opportunistic parasitic infections such as Blastocystis to avoid potentially life-threatening outcomes. Besides, further studies are required to identify the subtypes of Blastocystis.