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Legge H, Pullan RL, Sartorius B. Improved household flooring is associated with lower odds of enteric and parasitic infections in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002631. [PMID: 38039279 PMCID: PMC10691699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Enteric and parasitic infections such as soil-transmitted helminths cause considerable mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income settings. Earthen household floors are common in many of these settings and could serve as a reservoir for enteric and parasitic pathogens, which can easily be transmitted to new hosts through direct or indirect contact. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to establish whether and to what extent improved household floors decrease the odds of enteric and parasitic infections among occupants compared with occupants living in households with unimproved floors. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we comprehensively searched four electronic databases for studies in low- and middle-income settings measuring household flooring as an exposure and self-reported diarrhoea or any type of enteric or intestinal-parasitic infection as an outcome. Metadata from eligible studies were extracted and transposed on to a study database before being imported into the R software platform for analysis. Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. In total 110 studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review, of which 65 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis after applying study quality cut-offs. Random-effects meta-analysis suggested that households with improved floors had 0.75 times (95CI: 0.67-0.83) the odds of infection with any type of enteric or parasitic infection compared with household with unimproved floors. Improved floors gave a pooled protective OR of 0.68 (95CI: 0.58-0.8) for helminthic infections and 0.82 OR (95CI: 0.75-0.9) for bacterial or protozoan infections. Overall study quality was poor and there is an urgent need for high-quality experimental studies investigating this relationship. Nevertheless, this study indicates that household flooring may meaningfully contribute towards a substantial portion of the burden of disease for enteric and parasitic infections in low- and middle-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Legge
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L. Pullan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benn Sartorius
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Health Metric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Moussavi E, Houssaini M, Salari N, Hemmati M, Abdullahi A, Khaleghi AA, Shohaimi S, Mohammadi M. Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023; 22:e00315. [PMID: 37501920 PMCID: PMC10368925 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Parasitic infections are among the most common diseases worldwide, and enterobiasis is a well-known type of parasitic infection in children. Given the existence of several reports on the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis in different provinces of Iran and the heterogeneity of the reported prevalence data, this study aims to investigate the overall prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis study involved a comprehensive search of several databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, SID, and Google Scholar, focusing on cross-sectional studies that examined the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection in Iranian children. The identified studies were entered into the EndNote software for review. The quality of observational studies was evaluated using the STROBE checklist. The information extracted from the studies was entered into the Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA, Version 2) software. Heterogeneity among the studies was analyzed using the I2 test, and publication bias was assessed using the Egger test and funnel plot. Results A total of 51 studies, with a sample size of 46,070 children, were included in the review. Using the random effects method, the overall prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran was determined to be 6.7% (95%CI: 5.2-8.6). The review of the factors affecting study heterogeneity and sample size indicated that as sample size increased, the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran also increased (p = 0.578). Additionally, with an increase in the year of conducting the studies, the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings of this study show a relatively high prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among children in Iran. We recommend health policymakers recognize the significance of this issue and take necessary measures to reduce the incidence of this infectious agent in children, implementing more effective preventive measures through mass media and educational campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Moussavi
- Student research committee, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran
| | - Mohammad Houssaini
- Student research committee, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran
| | - Nader Salari
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mahvan Hemmati
- student research committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ahmad Abdullahi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Khaleghi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Masoud Mohammadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran
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Sinhorin GH, Carneiro ACG, Farias BES, de Almeida P, Medeiros-Sousa AR, Melchior LAK, Brilhante AF. Intestinal parasite infections associated with sociodemographic and seasonal factors in the Western Amazon. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:419-423. [PMID: 36416950 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07736-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal parasites are a constant public health problem in the Amazon region, with a high prevalence of cases related to poor sanitary conditions. We investigated the sociodemographic and seasonal factors associated with human intestinal parasite infections in an area of the Western Amazon, Brazil, from September 2017 to August 2019. Data were collected using a database available at the Diagnostic Support Centre (Centro de Apoio ao Diagnóstico, CAD) of the Municipality of Rio Branco, on positive diagnoses for intestinal parasites. Among the 53,200 samples analysed, 18.3% (n = 9712) were positive. Of these, 96.4% (n = 9363) and 3.6% (n = 349) were protozoan and helminthic infections, respectively. Males showed higher odds ratio (OR) for Enterobius vermicularis infection (OR: 2.3) and giardiasis (OR: 1.9) and lower OR for Endolimax nana (OR: 0.9) and Entamoeba coli (OR: 0.9) infections. Individuals aged ≥ 15 presented higher OR for Strongyloides stercoralis (OR: 3.4), hookworms (OR: 2.3), and almost all protozoan infections than younger individuals. In the dry season, the OR for hookworms (OR: 1.5), Iodamoeba butschlii (OR: 1.4), and Endolimax nana (OR: 1.3) infections was higher than that in the rainy season, including a high chance of polyparasitism (OR: 1.6). We concluded that there was a significant difference between the different types of intestinal parasites, particularly protozoa, with high OR in the dry season and for certain groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrícia de Almeida
- Center for Health and Sport Sciences, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
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Al-Adhroey AH, Al-Ansi YA, Al-Kholani MA, Amer AH, Al-Khyat MM, Al Hubaishi FH, Aziz RH, Al-Khateeb ES, Al-Gabri SA, Al-Gabri TM. Enterobiasis among Yemeni children: a cross-sectional study. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:722-728. [PMID: 36091264 PMCID: PMC9458792 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01487-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterobiasis is a highly infectious parasitic disease spreading worldwide including Yemen. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate. A total of 402 children (aged 1-12 years) participated in this cross-sectional survey carried out at Thamar University Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital (TUWTH), between 2018 and 2019. Enterobius vermicularis infection was examined using the adhesive tape technique. Association between risk factors and enterobiasis were measured by prevalence ratio (PR). The overall prevalence of enterobiasis was found to be 29.4% (118/402). Risk factors that showed independent association with the infection were child's care responsibility (PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.37-2.63; P = 0.001); irregular washing hands before meals (PR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.32-3.05; P = 0.003); habit of nail biting or cutting by teeth (PR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.18-2.21; P = 0.002); habit of putting toys or pen in mouth (PR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.19-2.10; P = 0.002); frequent anal itching (PR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.10-1.93; P = 0.016); using anthelmintic during the last six months (PR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.20-2.36; P = 0.011); and parents have no knowledge on preventive measures (PR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.04-2.53; P = 0.036). Prevalence of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate is high with higher infection rate among those aged 1-6 years. Health education and mass treatment are highly recommended among this poor population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulelah H. Al-Adhroey
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Yahya A. Al-Ansi
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Mohammed A. Al-Kholani
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Abdulrahman H. Amer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Marwan M. Al-Khyat
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Fadia H. Al Hubaishi
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Radhwan H. Aziz
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Ebrahim S. Al-Khateeb
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Souad A. Al-Gabri
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Tawfik M. Al-Gabri
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, PO Box 87246, Dhamar, Yemen
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Jann HW, Cabral-Castro MJ, Costa JVB, Alencar ACMDB, Peralta JM, Peralta RHS. Prevalence of human cryptosporidiosis in the Americas: systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2022; 64:e70. [DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202264070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Barlaam A, Temesgen TT, Tysnes KR, Rinaldi L, Ferrari N, Sannella AR, Normanno G, Cacciò SM, Robertson LJ, Giangaspero A. Contamination of fresh produce sold on the Italian market with Cyclospora cayetanensis and Echinococcus multilocularis. Food Microbiol 2021; 98:103792. [PMID: 33875219 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. in fresh produce sold in Italy, 324 locally produced 'ready-to-eat' (RTE) mixed-salad packages belonging to three brands and 324 berries packages (blueberries and blackberries imported from Peru and Mexico, respectively, and raspberries grown in Italy) were purchased at retail. Nine individual packages from each of the six types of fresh produce were collected monthly for one year, and with the same produce pooled, this resulted in a total of 72 pools for the whole year. Using microscopy (FLOTAC), a Cyclospora-like oocyst was detected in a blueberry sample and a taeniid egg was detected in a RTE-salad sample. Molecular tools confirmed these to be C. cayetanensis and Echinococcus multilocularis, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was not detected in any of the samples. This study shows for the first time in Europe that imported berries on the Italian market may be contaminated with C. cayetanensis and RTE salads grown in Italy with E. multilocularis. The results indicate a new epidemiological scenario and highlight that current management of fresh produce, locally produced or imported, does not ensure products are free from parasite contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Barlaam
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71121, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Tamirat T Temesgen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristoffer R Tysnes
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna R Sannella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Normanno
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71121, Foggia, Italy
| | - Simone M Cacciò
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy J Robertson
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Annunziata Giangaspero
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71121, Foggia, Italy
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Toychiev A, Navruzov B, Pazylova D, Davis N, Badalova N, Osipova S. Intestinal protozoa and helminths in ulcerative colitis and the influence of anti-parasitic therapy on the course of the disease. Acta Trop 2021; 213:105755. [PMID: 33188747 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths and protozoa in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to estimate the influence of the anti-parasitic therapy on the course of the disease. METHODS The study was conducted at the Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and Coloproctology Department of the Republic Clinical Hospital №1 of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. One hundred UC patients and 200 healthy individuals were examined by triple coproscopy. Additionally, 20, 25 and 22 UC patients with Blastocystis infection were treated with nitazoxanide (1.0 g/day), mesalazine (1.5-2 g/day) or a combination of nitazoxanide (1.0 g/day) and mesalazine (≥1.5-2 g/day) for 14 consecutive days, respectively. Parasitological, clinical and endoscopic examinations were conducted before therapy, immediately after and 6 and 12 weeks after therapy completion. RESULTS The overall prevalence of helminths in UC patients and control individuals was not significantly different: 14±3.4% and 8.5±1.9%, respectively (OR: 1.7524; 95% CI: 0.8258 to 3.7186; P=0.1). Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent parasite in both groups, but the difference compared to the control was insignificant (OR: 0.4565; 95% CI: 0.2020 to 1.0318; P=0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of Blastocystis sp., Chilomastix mesnili and Iodamoeba butschlii in UC patients compared to control individuals was found (P<0.0005): 65.0%, 14.0% and 22.0%, respectively. During all follow-up periods, the clinical response and clinical remission were not statistically different between the groups (P>0.05). Mucosal healing immediately and 6 weeks after therapy with a combination of nitazoxanide with mesalazine was significantly better than with a monotherapy of nitazoxanide, respectively (P<0.05). UC patients treated with a combination of nitazoxanide with mesalazine showed better mucosal healing than in patients treated with a monotherapy of mesalazine (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of Blastocystis sp. should be introduced in the complex examination of UC patients. Further clinical studies are necessary for assessment of the efficiency of anti-Blastocystis therapy in UC patients.
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Atabati H, Kassiri H, Shamloo E, Akbari M, Atamaleki A, Sahlabadi F, Linh NTT, Rostami A, Fakhri Y, Khaneghah AM. The association between the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities with intestinal Entamoeba spp infection risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237102. [PMID: 33147225 PMCID: PMC7641376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal protozoa infections are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, especially where the exposed population suffers from a lack of drinking water and sanitation facilities. In this study, the association between the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation (toilet) facilities with intestinal Entamoeba spp infection in the children (5-11 years), adult (18-55 years), and all age (5-55 years) were assessed. For this purpose, some of the international databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were screened to up to 7 June 2019 in order to retrieve the related citations. Also, the pooled odds ratios (ORs) following 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Twenty-nine articles with 36 studies were included while the OR extracted or calculated by using 2 × 2 contingency tables. However, the ingestion of contaminated water insignificantly can increase the odds ratio (OR) of Entamoeba spp infection (OR 1.01, (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 1.43), no access to sanitation (toilet) facilities significantly can increase odds of Entamoeba spp infection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.32). The meta-regression analysis showed that over time, odds of intestinal Entamoeba spp infection increased in both lack of safe drinking water (Coefficient: 3.24, P-value < 0.01) and sanitation (toilet) facilities (Coefficient: 2.36, P-value < 0.05) subgroups. Considering the findings, lack of safe drinking water resulted in a further increase in intestinal Entamoeba spp infection among adult (OR: 2.76), children (OR = 0.57) and all age groups (OR: 1.50), and also lack of sanitation (toilet) facilities resulted in further increase intestinal Entamoeba spp infection in children (OR: 1.06), adult (OR: 1.26) and all age (OR: 1.16). In this context, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities (toilet) was associated with a high risk of intestinal Entamoeba spp infection. Further attempts to providing public health facilities can control the prevalence of intestinal Entamoeba spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Atabati
- Department of the environment faculty of fishery and environment, Gorgan University of agriculture and natural resources sciences, Golestan Province, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Hamid Kassiri
- Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Shamloo
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Food Science and Technology, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mitra Akbari
- Amiralmomenin Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ali Atamaleki
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sahlabadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Danang, Vietnam
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Yadolah Fakhri
- Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Martinez-Hernandez F, Martinez-Ibarra JA, Lopez-Escamilla E, Villanueva-Garcia C, Muñoz-Garcia CI, Rendon-Franco E, Maravilla P, Villalobos G. Molecular genotyping of Blastocystis spp. in wild mammals from Mexico. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:97-104. [PMID: 31735993 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06530-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis spp. are common intestinal parasites found worldwide in humans and a wide range of animals. They exhibit extensive genetic diversity; currently, 17 subtypes (STs) and some groups called non-mammalian and avian STs (NMASTs) have been proposed. In addition, a large variety of animals have been reported as hosts of the parasite, and new hosts and STs are still being described. In this study, Blastocystis infection of wild animals in two sylvatic areas of Mexico was surveyed. Of one hundred twenty-four fecal samples, six were positive for Blastocystis: specifically, one sample from an opossum, one sample from a bat, and four samples from different species of rodents. ST4, ST17, and nucleotide sequences similar to Blastocystis lapemi were identified based on SSU rDNA sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate species poorly or not previously evaluated for Blastocystis infection. Mammals having different niches and geographical distribution were infected with similar genetic type of Blastocystis, so that we suggest that local water or food sources could play an important role in Blastocystis transmission and ST maintenance in wild animals. Additionally, there are STs with scarce genetic variation, suggesting that they could be highly adapted to their hosts. These data contribute to our understanding of the host range and genetic diversity of Blastocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Martinez-Hernandez
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jose Alejandro Martinez-Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Universitario del Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, C.P. 49000, Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Lopez-Escamilla
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia Villanueva-Garcia
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Cambio Global, Centro de Investigación para la Conservación y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Tropicales, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, C.P. 86150, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
| | - Claudia Irais Muñoz-Garcia
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, C.P. 04960, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emilio Rendon-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, C.P. 04960, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Maravilla
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Guiehdani Villalobos
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Abstract
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite of humans, with a direct fecal-oral transmission cycle. It is globally distributed and an important cause of foodborne outbreaks of enteric disease in many developed countries, mostly associated with the consumption of contaminated fresh produce. Because oocysts are excreted unsporulated and need to sporulate in the environment, direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely. Infection by C. cayetanensis is remarkably seasonal worldwide, although it varies by geographical regions. Most susceptible populations are children, foreigners, and immunocompromised patients in endemic countries, while in industrialized countries, C. cayetanensis affects people of any age. The risk of infection in developed countries is associated with travel to endemic areas and the domestic consumption of contaminated food, mainly fresh produce imported from endemic regions. Water and soil contaminated with fecal matter may act as a vehicle of transmission for C. cayetanensis infection. The disease is self-limiting in most immunocompetent patients, but it may present as a severe, protracted or chronic diarrhea in some cases, and may colonize extra-intestinal organs in immunocompromised patients. Trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of cyclosporiasis, but relapses may occur. Further research is needed to understand many unknown epidemiological aspects of this parasitic disease. Here, we summarize the biology, epidemiology, outbreaks, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of C. cayetanensis; additionally, we outline future research needs for this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Almeria
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA), Division of Virulence Assessment, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Hediye N Cinar
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA), Division of Virulence Assessment, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
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