Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus isolates from livestock based on mitochondrial cox1 gene, in the Markazi province, Iran

Genetic Characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus from Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples in Human Isolates Based on the High-Resolution Melting Point Analysis in Sabzevar, Northeast Iran

Background

There are ten genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus with different intermediate and final hosts affecting the parasite's life cycle and its transmission to humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the genotype of isolated hydatid cysts using the simple and fast high-resolution melting point analysis (HRM) method.

Methods

The paraffin tissue samples of patients who underwent surgery were obtained from the pathology sample bank of Vasei and Emdad Hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran during 2010-2020. The DNA content of the samples was extracted after collecting and determining the characteristics using the DNA extraction kit. PCR was performed on the samples and the presence of the hydatid cyst genome was confirmed using the special Master Kit. Mix PCR of Solis Biodyne Company and Real-Time device (Bio-Rad) were used, and the genetic identity of hydatid cysts were determined.

Results

Out of 33 paraffin samples, 21 samples contained hydatid cyst DNA, two of which were from the brain and 19 from the liver tissues; 12 samples did not contain hydatid cyst DNAs. All liver samples were from sheep species (G1), and the brain samples were from buffalo species (G3). Therefore, 9.53% of the Echinococcus species collected were buffalo (G3), and 90.47% were sheep (G1) strain.

Conclusion

Based on previous patterns, HRM methods can be used for easy and quick identification of Echinococcus strains. The G1 strain was the dominant strain causing hydatid cyst in different human organs, including the liver and brain.

Food-borne zoonotic echinococcosis: A review with special focus on epidemiology

Echinococcosis is a neglected, WHO-listed cyclozoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by a number of species belonging to the genus Echinococcus. This disease is widespread across the globe, resulting in heavy economic losses for farmers and cystic disease in aberrant human hosts. This review paper briefly discussed taxonomy, a brief history, the magnitude of economic losses, host spectrum and life cycle, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the copro- and sero-ELISA-based prevalence of echinococcosis on different continents was summarized. Finally, the authors analyzed the frequency and use of molecular epidemiology in the taxonomy of Echinococcus species based on molecular markers. This review will serve as a quick reference to Echinococcus.

Prevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis Genotypes in Iranian Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Cystic echinococcosis is considered a public health problem that if left untreated can have dangerous consequences for the person. The disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato larvae. The main risk factors for this parasitic infection are habitat, direct contact with dogs, use of raw vegetables, and use of unwashed vegetables. The most important factors affecting the prevalence of HCD are economic, occupational, agricultural, educational, and factors related to public health and cultural habits of the general public in that geographical area.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the types of cystic echinococcosis genotypes (E. granulosus sensu stricto (G₁-G₃) and E. Canadensis (G₆ and G₇)) in livestock in Iran.

Method

This systematic review was conducted, using Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar databases, to identify studies of cystic echinococcosis in animals published from 2010 to April 14, 2021. Finally, 28 studies were selected for meta-analysis, which was analyzed using Stata software version 14. The cystic echinococcosis prevalence with 95% confidence intervals of animals was synthesized using the random effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated and in cases where the I² index was higher than 75%, subgroup analysis was performed according to the types of animals.

Result

The highest prevalence of cystic echinococcosis infection was related to G₁ genotype (P = 0.91 (95% CI = 0.84, 0.97)) and the prevalence was related to G₂ genotype (P = 0.07(95% CI = 0.00, 0.18)). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that in the G₁ genotype the highest prevalence was observed in Goats and Buffaloes with P = 1 (95% CI = 0.96, 1) and P = 1 (95% CI = 0.97, 1), in the G₃ and G₆ genotypes the highest prevalence was observed in camels with P = 0.50 (95% CI = 0.31, 0.69), and P = 0.45 (95% CI = 0.22, 0.69), respectively.

Conclusion

The cystic echinococcosis genotypes vary from region to region or from country to country and also from host to host, and according to the results, it should always be stopped in areas where the prevalence of such genomes suitable for livestock as well as human food sources to prevent infection of livestock and thus human exposure to cystic echinococcosis.

Genetic structure and phylogeography of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in Pakistan and other regions of the world based on nad5 gene

Pakistan is a neglected endemic focus for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, a zoonotic parasite species complex with the ability to infect wide spectrum of hosts. Wide gaps exist in literature for etiological agents of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Pakistan due to a very low number of studies on identifying the exact genotypes involved in epidemiological manifestation of this disease. Focusing on transmission patterns and epidemiological dynamics, this study aimed at investigating infective genotypes among the cattle population of south Punjab, Pakistan, employing a mitochondrial marker nad5 (680 bp). Nucleotide sequences retrieved from 28 hydatid cyst isolates displayed considerable intraspecific variation revealing the existence of G3 and G1 strains of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. The G3 genotype emerged as the predominant cause (78.57%) of hydatidosis in cattle. Apart from this, to understand phylogeographical relations, homologous nucleotide sequences of the partial nad5 gene from six major regions of the world were employed in the population genetics analysis to have an insight into genetic variability and demographics of G3 genotype in particular. Diversification of G3 and its haplotypes in Pakistan (n = 11) and other regions of the world (India, Iran, Turkey, Italy and France) was demonstrated. It was further demonstrated that the South Asian population (Pakistan and India) was highly differentiated from the other regions. It could, therefore, be speculated that G3 is diverging and expanding its population with South Asia as the main focal point.

Echinococcoses in Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan: Old Diseases in the New Millennium

Echinococcosis is considered a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by different species of small taeniid tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus and is regarded as a neglected zoonosis. Cystic and alveolar echinococcoses are endemic diseases of Tibetan, Pamir, and Iranian plateaus. All of the countries within the Iranian plateau are affected by echinococcosis. Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran are the three most populous countries of the region, in which echinococcosis is highly endemic. The three neighboring countries share strong cultural and socioeconomic ties. The present study aimed to provide a broad review of the status of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, summarizing the current knowledge about geographical distribution, molecular epidemiology, and transmission dynamics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Echinococcus multilocularis in this region. Additionally, we aimed to understand disease burden and risk factors as basic requirements for establishing a surveillance system and planning prevention and control programs. A considerable body of information is available on different aspects of echinococcosis in this region; however, several information and research gaps need to be filled before planning control programs. None of the countries in the region have an elaborate echinococcosis control program. Effective control programs require multi/intersectoral coordination within a One Health approach with a long-term political and administrative commitment and enhanced international collaboration among the three countries.

Customizing the Protoscolicidal Activity by a Drug Delivery System: Application of Guar Gum in Electrospun Nanofibers

Background

The present study aimed to control mebendazole drug release from ethyl cellulose nanofibers containing guar gum produced by Electrospinning Method (ESM) on mortality of hydatid cyst protoscoleces under laboratory conditions.

Methods

The study was conducted in Arak Islamic Azad University, 2019. After preparation of ethyl cellulose nanofibers containing guar gum with concentrations 10, 250, 50 and 500 ppm with ESM, the uniformity and fineness of nanofibers were investigated by electron microscope. By determining the absorption of nanofibers during 312 h via spectrophotometry method, the amount of drug release was obtained. Then, the mortality of live protoscoleces in-vitro with nanofibers made with different concentrations was studied during 13 days.

Results

Guar gum nanofiber with four concentrations of 10, 50, 250 and 500 ppm had 0.78512, 0.83729, 1.0098 and 1.0633 absorption respectively and showed drug release 42.09%, 39.95%, 33.05% and 30.96% after 312 hours. Therefore, the survival of protoscoleces in the presence of guar gum with four concentrations was zero after 3, 6, 11 and 13 days (P<0.05).

Conclusion

To produce nanofibers carrying the drug for research related to the treatment of hydatid cysts, the electrospinning technique can be considered as a reliable method.

Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii infection in western Iran: seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis

Background

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infectious disease, and Toxoplasma gondii is the causative factor of this intracellular protozoan disease. Due to the lack of information about the rate of T. gondii in general papulation of Markazi Province in Iran, the current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the related risk factor analysis in the general population of Markazi Province.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed within 6 months on individuals who were referred to diagnostic laboratories in Markazi Province. The demographic and background information of the subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Three milliliters of blood samples was collected from the participants under sterile conditions. The sera were separated and evaluated for levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS software using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.

Results

Out of 824 people from the general population of Markazi Province who were investigated in this study, 276 (33.5%) had anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in their blood. According to the logistic regression model, gender variables, location, marital status, and having a cat at home do not affect the chances of contracting the parasite. Furthermore, the chance of contracting the parasite in 41- to 50-year-olds is 0.85 times the one in the 20- to 30-year-olds. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in men and women in Markazi Province was 33% and 34.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The mean prevalence of T. gondii infection in the age groups of 20-40, and ≥ 40 years was estimated to be 24.7%, and 40.8%, respectively. These rates were significantly lower than the national results (44%, and 55%, respectively). Therefore, regarding to the health authorities, it is necessary to raise the level of awareness of people of the region, especially at-risk groups about the transmittance and prevention methods, and infection risk factors in order to prevent the occurrence of T. gondii infection and reduce the prevalence and incidence of the disease.