The Role of the Intestinal Epithelium in the “Weep and Sweep” Response during Gastro—Intestinal Helminth Infections

Helminths are metazoan parasites infecting around 1.5 billion people all over the world. During coevolution with hosts, worms have developed numerous ways to trick and evade the host immune response, and because of their size, they cannot be internalized and killed by immune cells in the same way as bacteria or viruses. During infection, a substantial Th2 component to the immune response is evoked which helps restrain Th1-mediated tissue damage. Although an enhanced Th2 response is often not enough to kill the parasite and terminate an infection in itself, when tightly coordinated with the nervous, endocrine, and motor systems it can dislodge parasites from tissues and expel them from the gut. A significant role in this “weep and seep” response is attributed to intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). This review highlights the role of various IEC lineages (enterocytes, tuft cells, Paneth cells, microfold cells, goblet cells, and intestine stem cells) during the course of helminth infections and summarizes their roles in regulating gut architecture and permeability, and muscle contractions and interactions with the immune and nervous system.

Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Stray Cattle of Kathmandu Valley

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) are ubiquitous among cattle resulting severe infection. Prevalence of GIPs in stray street cattle may pose risk of dissemination of parasites of zoonotic importance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of GIPs in stray cattle of Kathmandu valley. Hundred (n=100) freshly voided dung samples were collected from eight places. The samples were processed using concentration method for microscopic examination, and modified McMaster technique for quantification of mean eggs/oocysts per gram of feces (EPG/OPG). Results revealed that 72% of the cattle were found positive for one or more species of GIPs and nine genera of GIPs were recorded (Eimeria, Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Capillaria, Trichuris, Toxocara, Fasciola and Paramphistomum). The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in male (73.68%) than in female (69.76%). The prevalence was found to be highest in adults (63.89%) followed by heifers (27.78%) and calves (8.33%). Approximately 76% of the cross breed and 65% local breed of cattle were positive for parasitic infection. The parasites differed both in prevalence and intensity, Eimeria sp. being the most prevalent (27%) with highest intensity (858.02 OPG ±63.46 SD). To our information, this is the first research of its kind in relation to stray cattle in Nepal. Our findings reveal that there is burden of helminth infections of zoonotic and socioeconomic importance in the straycattle. Therefore, it warrants regular inspection, relevant preventive measures and molecular detection of parasites.

Evaluation of vegetables grown in dry mountainous regions for soil transmitted helminths contamination

Infection caused by geo-helminth parasites are called geohelminthiasis are one of the global health problems. Vegetables eaten raw is the principal source of transmission of geo-helminth parasites. Pakistani people believe that eating raw vegetables are a significant source to get important vitamins and minerals. Based on the high incidence of pathogenic parasites and cultivating different vegetable types in the study areas, we conducted this study to evaluate the geo-helminth contamination of raw vegetables in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This is a descriptive study comprised, 1942 samples of 25 various types of vegetables. The samples were examined in physiological saline solution using sedimentation and centrifugation methods. The findings were analyzed by Graph-Pad version 5. P value less than 0.05 (95% CI) was considered significant. Results showed that 16.5% (n=322) of all vegetables were contaminated with one or more type of geo-helminth parasites. Garlic was the highest (35%) and cauliflower the lowest (4%) contaminated samples respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common geo-helminth found followed by hook worm species while Trichuris trichura was the least in all the vegetable samples. Leafy vegetables were highly contaminated 25.3% than vegetables with root parts 21.2% and fruity 9.09%. More than half of the contaminated vegetables were contaminated with single species of geo-helminth (P<0.05) while less than half with multiple types of geo-helminth contamination. Ninety two vegetables samples were contaminated with 2 species of parasites (P<0.05) and 45 with 3 (P>0.05) species of geo-helminth parasites. Education level of vendors and means of display were not significantly associated while types of vegetable used were significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites. The findings of this study provide evidence that consumption of raw vegetable has a high risk of acquiring geo-helminth infections. The authors believe that preventing the human to enter to the vegetable farmland for defecation, avoiding the irrigation of agricultural fields via night soil, and educating the people on proper washing and cooking of vegetables may be useful in reducing parasitic infections.

Helminth Infections in Cattle and Goats in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, with Focus on Strongyle Nematode Infections

Gastrointestinal helminths are major enteric parasites affecting the health of important livestock ruminants, such as cattle and goats. It is important to routinely survey these animals for helminth infections to allow effective management and control programs to be implemented. A cross-sectional helminth survey carried out in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, revealed the infection rate of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle (n = 157) and goats (n = 117) to be 35.7% and 88%, respectively, by microscopic fecal examination, and a 100% herd prevalence was observed in goats. Eggs of strongyle nematodes, Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Paramphistomum spp., and Moniezia spp. were detected, with a relatively high rate of strongyle nematode infection in both cattle (28.7%) and goats (86.3%). Mixed infections were observed in 14.3% and 35.9% of egg-positive samples from cattle and goats, respectively. Risk factor analysis showed that dairy cattle were 5.1 times more likely to be infected with strongyles than meat cattle. In contrast, meat goats were 9.3 times more likely to be infected with strongyles than dairy goats. The inverse findings in cattle and goats are discussed. Female gender was associated with a higher risk of strongyle infection in goats. DNA sequencing and in-house semi-nested PCR with primers specific to a region in the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were successfully used to identify strongyle genera in randomly selected egg-positive cattle (n = 24) and goat (n = 24) samples. Four strongyle genera, i.e., Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were identified by DNA sequencing. By semi-nested PCR, Cooperia spp. were detected as a major parasite of cattle (70.8%), whereas Haemonchus spp. were abundant in goats (100%). The majority of samples from cattle (58.3%) and goats (95.8%) were found to coinfect with at least two strongyle genera, suggesting that coinfection with multiple strongyle genera was more common than single infection in these animals.

Deteksi Endoparasit Cacing pada Hepar Tikus Laboratorium (Rattus norvegicus) dari Sentra Peternak di Kabupaten Banyumas dan Kabupaten Purbalingga

The presence of laboratory rats that are maintained and bred for laboratory purposes or laboratory observations is very necessary. The presence of endoparasite in laboratory rats will have an impact on the result of the research or laboratory observations. This study aims to detect helminth endoparasites in the liver of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) from animal breeders in Banyumas and Purbalingga Districts. This research was an observational study with a cross-sectional design. A total of 52 laboratory rats were used in the study. Rats are killed with chloroform, liver surgery then identify the presence of worm larvae. Out of the 52 rats obtained, 7 (29.17%) from 24 laboratory rats in Banyumas District and 5 (17.86%) from 28 laboratory rats in Purbalingga District were infected with Taenia taeniaeformis. It is necessary to control helminth infections in laboratory rats, such as laboratory animal quarantine, health monitoring, and antihelmintic treatment. It is important to handle carefully during travel to assure the results of research or laboratory observations using the animals.

Penyuluhan Kesehatan Tentang Penyakit Kecacingan Pada Siswa-Siswi Kelas 3 Dan 4 SD N 1 Sumber Agung Kemiling Bandar Lampung

ABSTRAK Kecacingan merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan masyarakat di Indonesia yang berkaitan erat dengan kondisi lingkungan. Kasus kecacingan di daerah bermacam-macam sesuai dari faktor penyebabnya seperti kelembaban, kondisi tanah, higiene sanitasi, kelompok umur yang diperiksa. Usia anak sekolah salah satu kelompok yang sering terjadi infeksi kecacingan. Kemenkes Ditjen Pengendalian Penyakit dan Penyehatan Lingkungan mengungkapkan bahwa dengan mencuci tangan dapat menurunkan kasus penyakit diare sebanyak 45%. Mencuci tangan dapat menjaga lingkungan serta dapat mengurangi kasus penyakit menular sebanyak 90% seperti kecacingan. Angka infeksi kecacingan tinggi dipengaruhi oleh kebersihan diri, sanitasi lingkungan dan kebiasaan penduduk yang kurang menjaga kebersihan diri dan lingkungan. Tujuan kegiatan ini siswa dan siswi Kelas 3 dan 4 SD N.01 Sumber agung dapat memahami dan mengaplikasikan perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat dalam kehidupan sehari-hari dengan mengaplikasikan 7 langkah cuci tangan untuk menghindari penyakit kecacingan. Adapun kegiatan yang dilakukan adalah penyuluhan tentang penyakit kecacingan dan simulasi cara mencuci tangan 7 langkah. Alat yang digunakan lefleat dan mobile wastafel. Siswa siswi kelas 3 dan 4 SD N 01 Sumber Agung Kemiling Bandar Lampung dapat menjawab pertanyaan yang disampaikan pemateri dan dapat melakukan 7 langkah cuci tangan. Kata Kunci: Penyakit Kecacingan, kelompok usia sekolah,Cuci tangan 7 langkah, ABSTRACT Worms are one of the public health problems in Indonesia that are closely related to environmental conditions. Cases of worms in the area vary according to the causative factors such as humidity, soil conditions, hygiene and sanitation, and the age group being examined. School age children are one of the groups that often have helminth infections (bisara D, Mardiana, 2010). The Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Disease Control and Environmental Health, revealed that washing hands can reduce cases of diarrheal disease by 45%. Washing hands can protect the environment and can reduce cases of infectious diseases by 90% such as worms (Imran Agus N, 2021). The high worm infection rate is influenced by personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and the habits of the population who do not maintain personal and environmental hygiene. The purpose of this activity is that students in Grades 3 and 4 of SD N.01 Sumber Agung can understand and apply clean and healthy living behavior in daily life by applying 7 steps of hand washing to avoid worms. The activities carried out were counseling about helminthiasis and simulations on how to wash hands in 7 steps. The tools used are leaflets and mobile sinks. The 3rd and 4th grade students of SD N 01 Sumber Agung Kemiling Bandar Lampung can answer questions submitted by the speaker and can do 7 steps of washing their hands. Keywords: Worms Disease, school age group, 7 steps hand washing

Impact of Annual versus Semiannual Mass Drug Administration with Ivermectin and Albendazole on Helminth Infections in Southeastern Liberia

We compared the impact of three rounds of annual and five rounds of semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole plus ivermectin on helminthic infections in Liberia. Repeated annual cross-sectional community surveys were conducted between 2013 and 2019 in individuals of 5 years and older. Primary outcome was the change of infection prevalence estimates from baseline to month 36 (12 months after the last treatment). After three rounds of annual MDA, Wuchereria bancrofti circulating filarial antigen (CFA) and microfilaria (Mf) prevalence estimates decreased from 19.7% to 4.3% and from 8.6% to 0%, respectively; after semiannual MDA, CFA and Mf prevalences decreased from 37.8% to 16.8% and 17.9% to 1%, respectively. Mixed effects logistic regression models indicated that the odds of having Mf decreased by 97% (P < 0.001) at month 36 (similar odds for annual and semiannual MDA zones). A parallel analysis showed that the odds of CFA were reduced by 83% and 69% at 36 months in the annual and semiannual treatment zones, respectively (P < 0.001). Onchocerca volvulus Mf prevalence decreased slightly after multiple MDA rounds in both treatment zones. Reductions in hookworm and Trichuris trichiura prevalences and intensities were slightly greater in the annual treatment zone. Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence rates were relatively unchanged, although infection intensities decreased sharply throughout. Results show that annual and semiannual MDA were equally effective for reducing LF and soil-transmitted helminth infection parameters over a 3-year period, and reductions recorded at month 36 were sustained by routine annual MDA through month 72.