Iranian Journal of Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Seroepidemiology and Risk Factors of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Iranian COVID-19 Patients: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Zahra Haghparast, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Zohreh Sharifi, Saeed Bahadory","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Theoretically, there is a possible association between emerging SARS-CoV-2 infection and parasites such as <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. We aimed to evaluate the seroepidemiology of <i>T. gondii</i> in COVID-19 patients and the control group as well as its correlation with risk factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Totally, 450 sera samples were taken from COVID-19 positive patients and controls from the Tehran, Karaj, and Shiraz cities, Iran. Anti-<i>T. gondii</i> IgG and IgM were evaluated using the ELISA technique. After two months, the participants were followed for recovery or non-recovery and even death. The association between seroprevalence and severity of viral infection as well as other risk factors was statistically estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>IgG prevalence in patients and healthy individuals was 59.11% and 61.77%, respectively; these values were estimated at 2.22% and 0% for IgM, respectively. There was no significant association between the prevalence of IgG with COVID-19 infection, while this association was statistically significant for IgM prevalence. The Karaj had the highest prevalence, and a significant association was observed between the seroprevalence and some variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite the non-significant association between the chronic phase of <i>T. gondii</i> (sero) prevalence and COVID-19 symptomatic forms, the parasite prevalence was estimated remarkable and the viral infection and parasite-related acute phase antibodies relationship was estimated to be statistically significant. Due to immunosuppressive therapies for this viral inflammatory infection, it makes it more difficult to interpret the results, and because of the vulnerability of the immune system of these individuals, toxoplasmosis is likely to be hazardous in them; therefore, screening for this parasitic complication seems necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"140-147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978208/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-Reporting Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients and Nutritional Status: A Study of the Host Factor in Remote Areas of Ethiopia.","authors":"Bizuayehu Gashaw, Endalew Yizengaw, Fasikaw Nigatie, Endalkachew Nibret","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Leishmania aethiopica</i> is the leading cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ethiopia. Different clinical manifestations might be related to host immunity, which itself can be influenced by the host's nutritional status. However, there is limited evidence that associates nutritional status with CL in Ethiopia. We investigated the relationship between clinical variables of CL and malnutrition.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study was conducted in June 2024. Patient data was analyzed from those treated for CL and screened for nutrition from January 2022 to May 2024 at Tefera Hailu and Addis Zemen Primary Hospitals. Nutritional status was assessed through Anthropometric measurements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 470 CL patients were treated, with a prevalence of 14.65/100, 000 population affected. Out of the total CL patients, 217 were assessed for nutrition, 22% were malnourished. Malnutrition was most prevalent in mucosal (30%) and recurrent cases (38.5%), compared to localized (20%) and new cases (21%) respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Malnutrition might have the potential to shape the clinical manifestation and treatment outcome in CL patients. In CL endemic areas nutritional supplement with the treatment of CL could require for better patient outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"65-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978217/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143967140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of <i>Blastocystis hominis</i> as a Risk Factor for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women.","authors":"Fariba Berenji, Seyed Aliakbar Shamsian, Zeinab Teimourisani, Mohammad Reza Bagherpoor, Mehdi Zarean, Jamshid Jamali, Nayereh Ghomian, Mahnaz Broumand Rezazadeh, Bibi Razieh Hosseini Farash","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health issue during pregnancy and may be influenced by parasitic infections such as <i>Blastocystis hominis</i>. This study aims to assess the role of <i>Blastocystis hominis</i> infection as a potential risk factor for IDA in pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 208 pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, including 98 women with IDA (case group) and 110 women without IDA (control group), conducted at Imam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran during 2022-2023. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured in all participants, with anemia defined as hemoglobin <11 g/dL and ferritin <15 μg/L. Stool samples were collected from all participants to detect <i>B. hominis</i> and other parasitic infections using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration, and modified acid-fast staining methods. Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-test and chi-square test, with a significance level of <i>P<</i>0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of <i>B. hominis</i> infection was significantly higher in the case group (38.8%) compared to the control group (10.9%) (<i>P<</i>0.001). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were significantly lower in the case group (<i>P<</i>0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of socioeconomic status, education, or occupation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>B. hominis</i> infection may contribute to iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. Screening for parasitic infections in anemic pregnant women, particularly <i>B. hominis</i>, could improve anemia management during pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"75-82"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978210/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urogenital Myiasis in a 5 Years Old Boy: A Case Report.","authors":"Nader Shakib Azad, Mohsen Kalantari, Masoumeh Amin, Afshin Barazesh","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Myiasis infection is caused by the invasion of flies' eggs and larvae into different tissues of the host's body. The rarest form is urogenital myiasis, which can occur even in men with a much lower probability than women, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The case of this study is a 5-year-old boy from suburbs of Bushehr City, southern Iran who referred to the Pediatrics Department of Persian Gulf Hospital in Bushehr due to constant fever and significant weight loss. In urine evaluation, the presence of <i>Chrysomya bezziana</i> larvae was confirmed. The larvae of several species of myiasis-producing flies can attack the urinary-genital system of people and cause urogenital symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose and accurately identify the species of larvae that cause myiasis in order to properly treat affected patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"153-157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143967661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pulmonary Cryptosporidiosis in HIV Infected Patients at Imam Khomeini Complex Hospital in Tehran, Iran: A Case Series.","authors":"Saghi Rashidifar, Mohammad Javad Gharavi, Naser Harzandi, Zohreh Momeni, Malihe Hasan Nezhad","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18115","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Cryptosporidium</i> species are a significant cause of persistent untreatable diarrhea in HIV-positive patients, especially in developing countries; however, extra-intestinal instances are rarely documented. Herein, we present three cases of pulmonary cryptosporidiosis in HIV patients at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Despite the combination treatment with antiretroviral therapy, azithromycin, and paromomycin, the death of all 3 patients occurred due to severe complications. These cases highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of respiratory cryptosporidiosis in HIV patients with low CD4 counts.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"148-152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978215/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology of Helminthic Infections and Phylogenetic Tree of <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> in Rubber Tree Plantation in Lower Northern Part of Thailand.","authors":"Phuangphet Waree Molee, Apichat Vitta, Somchai Saengamnatdej","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Helminthic infections cause helminthiasis, including infections by <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>, a kind of helminths that cause reinfection and lead to severe infections, can be transmitted through the soil. We aimed to identify <i>S. stercoralis</i> and other helminthic infections in rubber tree plantations in Thailand's lower northern regions. The specific goals include assessing prevalence using Formalin Ethyl-acetate Concentration Technique (FECT) and Agar Plate Culture (APC) and constructing <i>S. stercoralis</i> phylogenetic tree.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Overall, 646 fecal samples from rubber plantation workers in five provinces in northern Thailand were examined using FECT and APC under microscope. DNA from larvae confirmed as <i>Strongyloides</i> spp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The DNA sequences were also submitted to the GenBank database.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Prevalence of helminthic infections was 8.82%, with soil transmitted helminths (STH) prevalence at 6.81%; <i>S. stercoralis</i> accounted for 5.41%, with <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> at 0.62%, hookworm 0.46%, and <i>T. trichiura</i> 0.31%. PCR analysis successfully amplified the 18S rRNA gene in 26 out of 34 genomic DNAs, indicating a detection rate of 70.59%. Sequencing of these PCR products identified <i>S. stercoralis</i> strains closely related to those reported in the Republic of Lao, Myanmar, and Japan, suggesting genetic diversity within the species.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>STH prevalence, predominantly <i>S. stercoralis</i>, highlights public health concerns in rubber plantation areas, necessitating enhanced monitoring and intervention strategies. Phylogenetic analysis of <i>S. stercoralis</i>, revealing a close genetic relationship among strains from various Southeast Asian countries, which underscores potential patterns of transmission and evolutionary relationships in the regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"20 1","pages":"111-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11978212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Tracking of <i>Leishmania major</i> in an Archived <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> Spleen Sample in Iran: A Case Report.","authors":"Mahya Allahmoradi, Faezeh Najafi, Mona Koosha, Elham Kazemirad, Alireza Latifi, Saied Reza Naddaf, Hamed Mirjalali, Mehdi Mohebali, Homa Hajjaran, Domenico Otranto, Gholamreza Mowlavi","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17172","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17172","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rodents are the primary reservoir hosts for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by <i>Leishmania major</i>. Knowing reservoir hosts is crucial for leishmaniasis surveillance and control programs in endemic areas. In this study, we examined an archived spleen of <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> obtained during a pest control program in 2000 in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The sample was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing to determine the presence of Trypanosomatidae based on the internal transcribed spacer (<i>ITS</i>) 1 gene. Amplification and sequencing of the discriminative region of the <i>ITS1</i> gene followed by BLAST analysis showed the highest similarity with <i>L. major</i> isolates. Also, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that our sample was grouped with <i>L. major</i> isolates retrieved from the GenBank database. This finding might support the claim that <i>R. norvegicus</i> acts as a potential reservoir host for <i>L. major</i>. Further studies, including a survey on more rodent samples as well as studying sandflies in the area, might uncover the possible presence of such pathobiological conditions in ZCL transmission in urban and suburban settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"496-501"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142902992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of a 70 kDa Excreted/Secreted Coproantigen Immunoassay for the Detection of <i>Toxocara canis</i> in Dogs.","authors":"Ana Cristina González-Morales, Zinnia Judith Molina-Garza, Ricardo Gomez-Flores, Juan José Zárate-Ramos, Lucio Galaviz-Silva","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17162","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We aimed to develop a sandwich ELISA, using polyclonal antibodies against excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens specific to coproantigens present in <i>Toxocara canis</i>-positive dogs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Antibodies were produced at Biological Sciences School, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, <i>México</i> in 2023 by immunization of rabbits with antigenic extracts from in vitro cultures of <i>T. canis</i> larvae. Assays were performed on 100 stool samples from pet dogs, measuring sensitivity, specificity, and cross-reactivity against other parasitic infections.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>High values of sensitivity (100%), specificity (90.9%), and positive (93.47%) and negative (95.45%) predictive values were obtained, respectively. We obtained an E/S protein with a molecular weight of 70 kDa, which showed high sensitivity and specificity by ELISA, but it presented cross-reactivity against <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i> and <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Additional studies are necessary to increase the specificity percentage since this assay demonstrated significant potential as a useful and inexpensive diagnostic tool for immunodiagnostic in dog feces.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"418-427"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671831/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142902455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Properties of Compounds Citral and Geraniol on <i>Trichomonas gallinae</i>: Activity in Vitro and Cytotoxicity.","authors":"Bruna Baccega, Juliana Montelli Fenalti, Alexia Brauner de Mello, Yan Wahast Islabão, Paloma T Birmann, Alessandra Neis, Marjorie de Giacometi, Francielle Liz Monteiro, Silvia de Oliveira Hubner, Rodrigo de Almeida Vaucher, Nara Amélia da Rosa Farias, Roghayeh Norouzi, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah, Camila Belmonte Oliveira","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17164","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Avian trichomoniasis is an important disease that causes bird mortality, both wild and captive, around the world. This study evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antiparasitic activity of citral (3.7-Dimetil-2.6-octadienal) and geraniol (trans-3.7-Dimetil-2.6-octadien-1-ol) against <i>Trichomonas gallinae</i> trophozoites.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In vitro assays were conducted at the Laboratory of Protozoology and Entomology (LAPEN) at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Brazil in 2019 using tests with 10⁶ parasites and citral and geraniol at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 μM and four controls: NC (culture medium and trophozoites), MTZ (trophozoites plus 100 μM of metronidazole), and TW (trophozoites plus vehicles used for solubilizing derivatives (0.01% Tween).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The citral (60 μM) and geraniol (50 μM) concentrations reduced the trophozoites's viability by 100%. The molecular docking experiment demonstrated that citral and geraniol might inhibit a hydrogen enzyme for <i>T. gallinae</i> survival.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The major compounds of lemongrass have potential antitrichomonal activity against <i>T. gallinae</i> in vitro.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"440-447"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671819/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response Comment on \"A New Immunogenic Structure of Polyepitopic Fusion against <i>Leishmania major</i>: In Silico Study\".","authors":"Saeed Pirmoradi, Mohammad Darvish Khadem, Zohre Monjezi, Somayeh Bahrami, Chukwunonso O Nzelu","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17176","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17176","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"517-519"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}