Linguatulosis in small ruminants in southeastern Iran: Epidemiological, histopathological and phylogenetic findings and its public health importance

Linguatulosis, as a zoonotic disease, can infect most ruminants and cause accidental infections in humans. The objective of this study was to explore the epidemiological, histopathological and phylogenetic profiles of Linguatula serrata infection in sheep and goats and its public health importance during 2015-2018. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and liver tissue of goats and sheep were selected randomly in Kerman slaughterhouse. Nymphal samples were used for DNA extraction, amplification and subsequently phylogenetic analysis using 18s rRNA and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Overall, of 828 examined livestock, 179 (42.4%) goats and 71 (17.5%) sheep were found to be infected with the nymphal stage of L. serrata. A significant difference was observed between linguatulosis and age. In the histopathological assessment, longitudinal and transverse sections of L. serrata nymphs were observed within the cyst-like spaces surrounded by a wall of fine fibrosis and compact lymphocytes. Moreover, comparing with the L. serrata reference sequences, we found only a single nucleotide change in our goat haplotype in 18s genetic region; while much nucleotide variations were observed in cox1 gene sequences. The results of the present study showed a high infection rate among goats and sheep in southeastern Iran. A better understanding of the disease could be achieved when the parasite species, their molecular characterization and the extent of infection in the area are determined. It is fundamental to select a comprehensive control program in order to take proper preventive and therapeutic measures against the infection.

Identification of Candida spp. isolated from oral mucosa in patients with leukemias and lymphomas in Iran

Background and Objectives: Oral candidiasis is a serious problem for immunocompromised patients, especially patients with hematological malignancies. After becoming a systemic candidiasis it is difficult to diagnose, control and treat in indi- viduals with hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to diagnose candidiasis in the oral mucosa of patients with leukemias and lymphomas in a timely manner in order to prevent their progression to systemic candidiasis. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 50 clinical samples were collected from the mouth of patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy from the oncology units of teaching hospitals in Kerman, Iran. Pa- tients were from Kerman, Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan in south-eastern Iran. Sampling was restricted to patients with diagnosed acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL); acute myeloid leukemia (AML); chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL); chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Presumptive species identi- fication of fungi was performed using conventional methods like colony characteristics on CHROMagar Candida medium, germ tube production, and assessing the morphology fungi on corn meal agar. Confirmation of presumptive candida isolates was performed using PCR-RFLP. Results: From a total of 50, 14 patients (28%) had positive oral candidiasis. Candida albicans (57.14%) was the most com- mon species followed by Candida glabrata (14.28%), Candida parapsilosis (14.28%), Candida krusei (7.14%) and Candida kefyr (7.14%). Candida albicans had the highest rate of oral infection in ALL (35.71%) and then NHL (28.57%) patients. Conclusion: The results indicate that oral candidiasis is a prevalent fungal infection in the patients with hematologic ma- lignancies with C. albicans being the main etiological agent. However, other species of Candida cause similar infections in these patients.

Identification of Candida spp. isolated from oral mucosa in patients with leukemias and lymphomas in Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Oral candidiasis is a serious problem for immunocompromised patients, especially patients with hematological malignancies. After becoming a systemic candidiasis it is difficult to diagnose, control and treat in individuals with hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to diagnose candidiasis in the oral mucosa of patients with leukemias and lymphomas in a timely manner in order to prevent their progression to systemic candidiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross sectional study, 50 clinical samples were collected from the mouth of patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy from the oncology units of teaching hospitals in Kerman, Iran. Patients were from Kerman, Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan in south-eastern Iran. Sampling was restricted to patients with diagnosed acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL); acute myeloid leukemia (AML); chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL); chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Presumptive species identification of fungi was performed using conventional methods like colony characteristics on CHROMagar Candida medium, germ tube production, and assessing the morphology fungi on corn meal agar. Confirmation of presumptive candida isolates was performed using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

From a total of 50, 14 patients (28%) had positive oral candidiasis. Candida albicans (57.14%) was the most common species followed by Candida glabrata (14.28%), Candida parapsilosis (14.28%), Candida krusei (7.14%) and Candida kefyr (7.14%). Candida albicans had the highest rate of oral infection in ALL (35.71%) and then NHL (28.57%) patients.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that oral candidiasis is a prevalent fungal infection in the patients with hematologic malignancies with C. albicans being the main etiological agent. However, other species of Candida cause similar infections in these patients.