Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors among Diarrheal Patients Attending Negelle Borena General Hospital: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Zewdineh Firdu,&nbsp;Kucho Mulatu","doi":"10.1155/2023/1990468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1990468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In tropical countries, intestinal protozoal parasitic infections are among the common infections causing significant morbidity and mortality. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the status of intestinal protozoal parasitic infections among diarrheal patients attending Negelle Borena General Hospital and investigate the possible risk factors for the infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case-control study design was employed in the study. The intestinal protozoal parasites were detected using a wet-mount, stool concentration, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen methods. The crude and adjusted odd ratios were considered to identify the associated risk factors for intestinal protozoal parasitic infections among the study participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall status of parasitic infection was 46.88% in cases and 27.08% in the control groups. The most prevalent protozoal infection was <i>Giardia lamblia</i> (9.38%) and followed by <i>Entamoeba histolytica/dispar</i> (6.25%) in the cases. The highest prevalence of the infection was detected in the age groups that varied from 6 to 10 years in cases (71%). The enteric <i>G. lamblia</i> and <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> were found to be 33.3% and 9.1%, respectively, in the age groups of 6-10 years in cases. Based on sex, 56.50% and 27.30% of protozoal (parasitic) infections were revealed by females in the cases and control groups, respectively, indicating a significant variation (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The education level (illiteracy), absence of toilet usage, no hand washing after toilet and before eating as significant risk factors for patient's infection with <i>G. lamblia</i>, <i>E. histolytica</i>, and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. (<i>P</i> < 0.05, AOR = 1-14). However, eating raw fruit and vegetables was also found as a major risk factor for <i>E. histolytica</i> (<i>P</i> < 0.05, AOR = 6.2) 40. Moreover, the residence of the patients was also indicated as a plus risk factors for the infection to be occurred by <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in the study participants (<i>P</i> > 0.95, AOR = 0.2).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of intestinal protozoal parasitic infection showed variation based on age, sex, and educational background of the study participants. Therefore, awareness creating training should be provided to the Negelle area communities so as to minimize the parasitic infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"1990468"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9918350/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10714113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Identification, Pathogenesis, and Life Cycle of <i>Sarcocystis cruzi</i> from Cattle (<i>Bos taurus</i>) in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.","authors":"Mohammed B M El-Mahdi,&nbsp;Soheir A Rabie,&nbsp;Reda M El-S Hassanine,&nbsp;Amal A Hassan,&nbsp;Obaida F Abo Elhussien,&nbsp;Mamdooh Ghoneum,&nbsp;Mohamed S A El-Gerbed","doi":"10.1155/2023/7829290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7829290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Sarcocystis cruzi</i> was identified by molecular methods from an intermediate host, cattle (<i>Bos taurus</i>), in El-Kharga, New Valley Governorate, Egypt, and its life cycle and pathogenicity were studied in the final host, dogs (<i>Canis familiaris</i>). 600 slaughtered cattle aged 6-8 years (480/120 males/females) were included. In addition, three laboratory-bred, coccidian-free puppies aged 2-3 months were fed infected bovine muscles to locate the definitive host and analyze sporogony. 18S rRNA-specific gene primers were used for DNA amplification from esophageal muscles. These polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and molecular sequence analysis. Infection was detected in 78.8% (473/600; 95% CI, 75.56-82.11%). Histopathological examination of esophageal muscles showed oval- to spherical-shaped cysts, 96.7 <i>μ</i>m wide by 326.9 <i>μ</i>m long; cysts in cardiac muscles were ovoid and smaller. Infected puppies began shedding sporocysts in feces 7 days post-inoculation and showed distorted organ architecture, severe cellular damage, and inflammatory lesions in liver, kidney, esophagus, and stomach. Three oocysts with different shapes and sizes were identified. Partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of isolated New Valley sarcocysts were identical to <i>S. cruzi</i> isolated from different areas, verifying their genetic relatedness. Our analysis suggests that <i>S. cruzi</i> is the most prevalent in slaughtered cattle in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"7829290"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10017224/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9146934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Malaria and COVID-19 Infection in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.","authors":"Adepeju Iyabo Simon-Oke,&nbsp;Oluwaseun Bunmi Awosolu,&nbsp;Olatunji Odeyemi","doi":"10.1155/2023/9529563","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9529563","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The prevalence of malaria and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is highly devastating and has led to a serious public health challenge worldwide. In order to ensure proper control and elimination, the State Ministry of Health (MoH) Ondo State, Nigeria conducted medical examinations in Iju/Itaogbolu, Igoba, and Ogbese Health centers to identify and confirm cases of COVID-19 and malaria infection. This study provides the outcome of the epidemiological investigation of the prevalence of COVID-19 and malaria in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study was a hospital-based secondary data analysis comprising of 11,389 and 682 individuals who visited various health centers in Akure North Local Government Area (LGA) for medical examinations on malaria and COVID-19, respectively. The COVID-19 cases were investigated using the fluid sample collected with a nasal swab or a throat swab, or spit of saliva into a tube and confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) RDT was employed to detect the <i>P.falciparum</i> antigen among participants' blood samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The total prevalence of malaria and COVID-19 were 67.6% and 12.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, the month of September recorded the highest malaria prevalence of 81.8% while the month of April recorded the least malaria prevalence of 56.4%. Similarly, the highest case of COVID-19 (18.8%) was recorded in the month of November while the least case (2.4%) was recorded in the month of April (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The age range of 12-59 months had the highest malaria prevalence of 74.9% while 0-24 days age range recorded the least prevalence of 15.2% (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Apparently, the children were more infected with malaria parasites while adults were more infected with COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Conclusively, malaria and COVID-19 infections were prevalent in the study area. Thus, the people should be enlightened on the deadly risk of malaria and COVID-19 through the health workers, social media, and the community leaders to ensure compliance with appropriate preventive measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"9529563"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9836811/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9099342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-Labeled <i>Leishmania major</i> Can Be Traced in Fibroblasts.","authors":"Narjes Yektaeian,&nbsp;Shahrokh Zare,&nbsp;Amir Hosein Radfar,&nbsp;Gholamreza Hatam","doi":"10.1155/2023/7628912","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7628912","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Leishmaniasis is still a neglected tropical disease that can endanger more than 350 million people among 98 countries. <i>Leishmania</i> can survive in fibroblasts as latent inactive forms. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in cell culture for tracking the labeled <i>Leishmania major</i> in fibroblasts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dextran-coated SPIONs were used for labeling <i>L. major</i> in co-culture of fibroblasts with the parasite. To quantify and trace SPION-labeled <i>Leishmania</i>, Prussian blue staining was undertaken. Fibroblast characterization was undertaken by real time polymerase chain reaction. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used for confirming the entry of the labeled <i>L. major</i> to the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the fibroblast.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fibroblasts were spindle-shaped and adherent to culture flasks. Promastigotes were with thin elongated lance-like morphology with an anterior kinetoplast and an emergent free flagellum. Prussian blue staining revealed that internalized SPIONs were localized within cytoplasm and nucleus of the fibroblasts after 24 hours of culture. Prussian blue staining successfully showed the presence of iron (stained blue) in labeled <i>L. major</i> within the fibroblasts. This finding was confirmed by TEM, and labeled <i>L. major</i> was detected in the fibroblast cytoplasm and nucleus too.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We can conclude that SPIONs are safe, inexpensive, easy to use, and accurate, and a fast method to label <i>Leishmania</i> parasite in cells that the parasite can be latent, such as fibroblasts. These findings can open a new window in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis and can be added to the literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"7628912"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9833902/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10535883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphometry and Molecular Identification of <i>Haemonchus</i> Cobb, 1898 (Trichostrongylidae: Nematoda) Isolates from Small Ruminants in Tanzania Based on Mitochondrial <i>cox</i> 1 and rRNA-ITS genes.","authors":"Barakaeli Abdieli Ndosi,&nbsp;Dongmin Lee,&nbsp;Mohammed Mebarek Bia,&nbsp;Heejae Yang,&nbsp;Min-Ji Hong,&nbsp;Sungbo Seo,&nbsp;Hansol Park,&nbsp;Keeseon S Eom","doi":"10.1155/2023/1923804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1923804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus <i>Haemonchus</i> is the major abomasal parasite of ruminants responsible for substantial economic losses in tropical and temperate regions. This study was conducted to clarify the morphometry and molecular characterisation of <i>Haemonchus</i> species isolated from sheep in Babati district, Tanzania. A total of 486 trichostrongylid nematodes were recovered from five sheep. Of the total worms, 106 nematodes were distinguished by 37 males and 69 females. The asymmetrical length of dorsal ray and the distance of bulb at the apex of spicules were used for identification of males. In females, the linguiform vulvar flap was the most predominant with 33 out of 69 (48%) compared with knobbed morph type which was 25/69 (36%) and smooth morph type with 11/69 (16%). Partial <i>cox</i>1 sequence fragments of <i>Haemonchus contortus</i> isolates showed 98.8%, 99.3%, 99.7%, 99.5%, 99.3%, and 98.4% in male, smooth, knobbed, linguiform A, linguiform B, and linguiform C, respectively; with the average nucleotide divergence ranged from 1.03 to 2.35%. The amplified fragments of ITS-2 genes in knobbed, linguiform A, and smooth morphotypes revealed 99.4%, 98.5%, and 98.3%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was evaluated by employing Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood, and the tree was distinctly separated into three clusters focusing on <i>H. contortus</i> in cluster I within the family Haemonchidae. Genetic drifting, mutation, and modification of the morphological features of the <i>Haemonchus</i> species described to have an impact on the development of drug resistance. Species identification is necessary to understand which species infect animal host. We recommend more studies on the parasites intensity and the strategies for controlling <i>Haemonchus</i> species in Tanzania.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"1923804"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9870690/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10622306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxoplasmosis-Awareness and Knowledge of Pregnant Women in Rural Areas of Malakand Region, Pakistan.","authors":"Wali Khan,&nbsp;Hafeez Ur Rahman,&nbsp;Yousef Abdal Jalil Fadladdin,&nbsp;Naseem Rafiq,&nbsp;Robi Naz,&nbsp;Patricio R De Los Rios-Escalante,&nbsp;Shabir Ahmad,&nbsp;Shouaa Abdulaziz Alrobaish,&nbsp;Noorah Saleh Al-Sowayan","doi":"10.1155/2023/4603066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4603066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The current study was carried out between October 2017 and October 2018 to explore knowledge, attitudes, practices, and information sources regarding toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Malakand region, the northwestern part of Pakistan. The current study was carried out between October 2017 and October 2018.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structured questionnaire was used to interview the women after taking verbal informed consent. Graphpad version 5 was used to indicate the differences. Significant was considered as a <i>P</i>-value of less than 0.05. This study revealed poor knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 31.2% of the respondents showed good knowledge, and 39.2% showed moderate knowledge. On the other hand, 29.5% of the participants showed poor knowledge about toxoplasmosis. The average knowledge score of pregnant women was 79 ± 12.2, which is considered to be within the scale of good knowledge. Number of children within the pregnant multipara women was significantly associated with knowledge about toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women who measured in number of childbirths within a women showed the highest mean score of 42.3 ± 13.3 with 57 (44.8%) displaying a good knowledge level. Pregnant women with more than one child had significantly higher (<0.0001) knowledge scores compared to women with one child or none child. The majority of pregnant women with one child used the social media, followed by mass media as sources of information about toxoplasmosis. Scientific sources of information were used more commonly by pregnant women with none of the child birth.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pregnant women knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis was poor as compared to attitudes and practices. Health workers and newspapers/magazines were the main sources of information.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"4603066"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10199801/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9873575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frequency of <i>Entamoeba</i> Complex in Individuals Referred to the Medical Laboratories in Jahrom City, South of Iran.","authors":"Zahra Kargar Jahromi,&nbsp;Ali Taghipour,&nbsp;Kavous Solhjoo,&nbsp;Rahim Raoufi","doi":"10.1155/2023/8914563","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8914563","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>, <i>Entamoeba dispar</i>, and <i>Entamoeba moshkovskii</i>, using microscopic and molecular methods in Jahrom city (Fars Province), south of Iran. Stool samples were collected from 360 outpatients referred to the medical laboratories in Jahrom city. Standard parasitological methods, including direct wet mount examination, formalin-ether sedimentation technique, and trichrome staining techniques, were used for detection of <i>Entamoeba</i> complex. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the genus/species of <i>Entamoeba</i>. <i>Entamoeba</i> complex cysts were detected in 2.5% (9/360) of samples by microscopic methods, while 11 isolates were considered positive for the <i>Entamoeba</i> complex by nested PCR. Among them, 2 (18.18%) out of 11 samples were <i>E. histolytica</i>, 5 (45.45%) were <i>E. dispar</i>, and 4 (36.36%) were <i>E. moshkovskii</i>. Molecular positivity was more prevalent among females (4.16%), people living in rural areas (3.44%), and people over 60 years old (13.33%). Considering the clinical manifestations, the <i>Entamoeba</i> complex infection in patients with fever (7.69%), severe diarrhea (5.10%), and nausea (5%) was high. This study reported the presence of <i>E. histolytica</i>, <i>E. dispar</i>, and <i>E. moshkovskii</i> in Jahrom city. Therefore, we suggest more public health interventions in Jahrom city.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"8914563"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10352532/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10202725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sibling Species Composition and Susceptibility Status of <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> s.l. to Insecticides Used for Indoor Residual Spraying in Eastern Uganda.","authors":"Julius Iga,&nbsp;Stephen Ochaya,&nbsp;Richard Echodu,&nbsp;Elizabeth A Opiyo,&nbsp;Alex K Musiime,&nbsp;Angella Nakamaanya,&nbsp;Geoffrey M Malinga","doi":"10.1155/2023/2225233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2225233","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Malaria remains one of the most critical disease causing morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets are currently the predominant malaria vector control interventions. However, the emergence and spread of insecticide resistance among malaria vectors threaten the continued effectiveness of these interventions to control the disease, particularly in high transmission areas. To inform decisions on vector control, the current study evaluated the &lt;i&gt;Anopheles&lt;/i&gt; malaria vector species and their susceptibility levels to 0.1% bendiocarb and 0.25% pirimiphos-methyl insecticides used in IRS intervention program in Namutumba district, Eastern Uganda.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;Anopheles&lt;/i&gt; larvae were collected between March and May 2017 from different breeding sites in the parishes of Nsinze and Nawaikona in Nsinze sub-county and reared to adults to assess the susceptibility status of populations in the study area. Mosquitoes were identified using morphological keys and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Susceptibility tests were conducted on 2- to 5-day-old non-blood-fed adult female &lt;i&gt;Anopheles&lt;/i&gt; that emerged using insecticide-impregnated papers with 0.1% bendiocarb and 0.25% pirimiphos-methyl following standard World Health Organization (WHO) insecticide susceptibility bioassays. A Log-probit regression model was used to derive the knock-down rates for 50% and 95% of exposed mosquitoes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 700 mosquito larvae were collected from different breeding sites. Morphological identification showed that 500 individuals that emerged belonged to &lt;i&gt;Anopheles gambiae&lt;/i&gt; sensu lato (s.l.), the main malaria vector. The PCR results showed that the dominant sibling species under the &lt;i&gt;A. gambiae&lt;/i&gt; complex was &lt;i&gt;Anopheles arabiensis&lt;/i&gt; 99.5% (395/397). WHO bioassay tests revealed that the population of mosquitoes exhibited high levels of susceptibility (24-hour post-exposure mortality 98-100%) to both insecticides tested. The median knock-down time, KDT&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;, ranged from 6.6 to 81.4 minutes, while the KDT&lt;sub&gt;95&lt;/sub&gt; ranged from 21.6 to 118.9 minutes for 0.25% pirimiphos-methyl. The KDT&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; for 0.1% bendiocarb ranged from 2.8 to 62.9 minutes, whereas the KDT&lt;sub&gt;95&lt;/sub&gt; ranged from 36.0 to 88.5 minutes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;These findings indicate that bendiocarb and pirimiphos-methyl are still effective against the major malaria vector, &lt;i&gt;A. arabiensis&lt;/i&gt; in Nsinze sub-county, Namutumba district, Uganda and can be effectively used for IRS. The study has provided baseline information on the insecticide susceptibility status on malaria vectors in the study area. However, routine continuous monitoring program of insecticide susceptibility and malaria vector composition is required so as to guide future decisions on insecticide use for IRS intervention toward ","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"2225233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10352534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9844519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical Survey and Cercaricidal Activity Screening of Medicinal Plants Used for Schistosomiasis Treatment in Atwima-Nwabiagya District, Ashanti Region, Ghana.","authors":"Evelyn Asante-Kwatia,&nbsp;Lord Gyimah,&nbsp;Arnold Donkor Forkuo,&nbsp;William Kofi Anyan,&nbsp;Makafui Adzo Gbemu,&nbsp;Francis Ackah Armah,&nbsp;Abraham Yeboah Mensah","doi":"10.1155/2023/6707157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6707157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study focused on documenting and evaluating the cercaricidal activity of medicinal plants used for schistosomiasis treatment in an endemic area in Ghana. Through semistructured questionnaires, personal interviews with herbalists in communities surrounding the Barekese dam in the Atwima-Nwabiagya district, where the disease is endemic, were carried out. Thirty medicinal plants distributed in 19 families were reported to be used for schistosomiasis treatment in the survey. Information on the plants, including scientific names, common names, families, and the used plant part were recorded. The families Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae recorded the highest number of plants (14% each), followed by Asteraceae (10%), Loranthaceae (7%), and Rubiaceae (7%). <i>In vitro</i> cercaricidal activity of methanol extracts of nine out of the thirty plants was performed by exposing human <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> cercariae obtained from <i>Biomphalaria pfeifferi</i> to various concentrations of extracts over a duration of 240 minutes. All the plants tested demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent cercaricidal activity. With lethality being set at <1000 <i>μ</i>g/mL, the cercaricidal activity in order of decreasing potency was as follows: <i>Withania somnifera</i> (LC₅₀ = 1.29) > <i>Balanites aegyptiaca</i> (LC₅₀ = 7.1) > <i>Xylia evansii</i> (LC₅₀ = 11.14) <i>> Jathropha multifida</i> (LC₅₀ = 12.9) <i>> Justicia flava</i> (LC₅₀ = 22.9) <i>> Anopyxis klaineana</i> (LC₅₀ = 182.81) > <i>Ximenia americana</i> (LC₅₀ = 194.98) <i>> Loranthus lecardii</i> (LC₅₀ = 223.87) <i>> Bridelia tenufolia</i> (LC₅₀ = 309.03) > <i>Zanthoxylium zanthoxyloides</i> (LC₅₀ = 851.94). Phytochemicals, including alkaloids, tannins, triterpenes, saponins, phytosterols, and flavonoids were identified in the plants. The result of this study gives scientific credence to the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of schistosomiasis and proves that the rich botanical knowledge of medicinal plants provides an incredible starting point for the discovery of new anti-schistosomal drugs for the local population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"6707157"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10372336/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9909730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intestinal Parasites among Food Handlers Working in Food Service Establishments in Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.","authors":"Hailegebriel Wondimu,&nbsp;Mestawut Mihret","doi":"10.1155/2023/3230139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3230139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As in most of African countries, intestinal parasites have been widely distributed in Ethiopia and are among the 10 top causes of morbidity and mortality nationwide. Statistics for food-borne illness in various industrialized countries show that up to 60% of cases may be caused by poor food handling techniques and by contaminated food served in food service establishments. Epidemiological information on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in different regions/localities is a prerequisite to develop appropriate strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the magnitude of intestinal parasites among food handlers working in different food service establishments in Gondar city.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted with food handlers working in different food service establishments in Gondar city. Stool samples were collected from 350 food handlers and processed using the formol-ether concentration method and then microscopically examined for intestinal parasitic infections. Pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to study the socio-demographic characteristics of food handlers. Chi-square test and <i>p</i>-value were used to assess the associations between risk factors and the parasite isolation rate. The <i>p</i>-value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 350 food handlers, 160 (45.71%) had parasites. Among the isolated parasites, <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> was found to be the most prevalent parasite 35.63%, followed by hookworm 19.38%, <i>Entamoeba histolytica/dispar</i> 16.25%, <i>Trichuris trichiura</i> 10.00%, <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> 8.13%, <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> 6.88%, and <i>Cystoisospora belli, Hymenolepis nana</i>, and <i>Taenia</i> species each accounting 1.25%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The result of the study indicated that the magnitude of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers working at different levels of food establishments in Gondar, Ethiopia, was found to be high. Being at lower educational level and inactive role of the town's municipality are determined as a risk factor for parasitic positivity of food handlers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"3230139"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10212672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9547260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}