Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths of Dogs and Associated Factors in Hawassa City of Sidama Region, Ethiopia.","authors":"Teshager Dubie,&nbsp;Shilmat Sire,&nbsp;Gizachew Fentahun,&nbsp;Fanuel Bizuayehu","doi":"10.1155/2023/6155741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6155741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Sidama region's Hawassa town from March 2021 to July 2021 with the aim of estimating the prevalence and associated factors of dog gastrointestinal helminths. A total of 384 dogs were randomly selected, and their feces were examined using a flotation technique. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were employed, and a <i>P</i>-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Accordingly, 56% (<i>n</i> = 215; 95% CI, 49.26-62.66) of dogs had gastrointestinal helminth parasite infection, of which 42.2% (<i>n</i> = 162) had a single infection and 13.8% (<i>n</i> = 53) had a mixed infection. In this study, <i>Strongyloides</i> sp. was the most detected helminth (24.2%), followed by <i>Ancylostoma</i> sp. (15.37%), <i>Trichuris vulpis</i> (14.6%), <i>Toxocara canis</i> (5.73%), <i>Echinococcus</i> sp. (5.47%), and <i>Dipylidium caninum</i> (4.43%). Out of the total sampled dogs tested positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminths, 37.5% (<i>n</i> = 144) were males and 18.5% (<i>n</i> = 71) were females. The total prevalence of helminth infections did not change significantly (<i>P</i> > 0.05) by the gender, age, and breed of dogs. The present study's high prevalence of dog helminthiasis reflects a high occurrence of infection and a concern to the public's health. In light of this conclusion, it is advised that dog owners improve their standards of hygiene. In addition, they should regularly take their animals to veterinary care and frequently administer the appropriate anthelmintics available to their dogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"6155741"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9925236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10738828","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":"Effectiveness of Polyclonal Antibody Immunoconjugate Treatment with Propamidine Isethionate for Amoebic Keratitis in Golden Hamsters.","authors":"Manuel Enrique Ávila-Blanco,&nbsp;Sandra Lizbeth Aguilera-Martínez,&nbsp;Javier Ventura-Juarez,&nbsp;Jorge Pérez-Serrano,&nbsp;Elizabeth Casillas-Casillas,&nbsp;Luis Fernando Barba-Gallardo","doi":"10.1155/2023/3713368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3713368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Acanthamoeba griffini</i> is known to cause amoebic keratitis (AK); its main causes are inadequate hygiene when contact lenses are handled and/or its prolonged use at night, as well as the use of contact lenses during underwater activities. The most used treatment for AK is the combination of propamidine isethionate combined with polyhexamethylene biguanide, which disrupts the cytoplasmic membrane, and damages cellular components and respiratory enzymes. We proposed an immunoconjugate treatment obtained from <i>Acanthamoeba</i> immunized rabbit serum combined with propamidine isethionate; the corneas of hamsters inoculated with <i>A. griffini</i> (MYP2004) were treated with the combined, at 1, 2, and 3 weeks. Propamidine isethionate is frequently used for AK treatment, <i>in vivo</i> study we are found IL-1<i>β</i> and IL-10 expression and caspase 3 activity is significantly increased with respect to the group that was inoculated with the amoeba without receiving any treatment, suggesting that it may be an effect of the toxicity of this drug on the corneal tissue. Application of the immunoconjugate showed enhanced amoebicidal and anti-inflammatory activities, with comparison to propamidine isethionate only. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the immunoconjugate of propamidine isethionate and polyclonal antibodies as a treatment of AK in golden hamsters (<i>Mesocricetus auratus</i>).</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"3713368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10154091/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9407701","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":"Head Lice Infestation in Pre-High School Girls, Lak Hok Suburban Area, Pathum Thani Province, in Central Thailand.","authors":"Sirima Kitvatanachai,&nbsp;Kanyanan Kritsiriwutthinan,&nbsp;Aree Taylor,&nbsp;Pochong Rhongbutsri","doi":"10.1155/2023/8420859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8420859","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This is a cross-sectional descriptive survey to determine the prevalence of lice infestation in a pre-high school, Lak Hok subdistrict, Pathum Thani Province, in central part of Thailand. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents/guardians toward head lice in female children during February-April 2020 were evaluated. A total of 83 out of 111 parents (74.8%) agreed to complete consent forms and questionnaires. The prevalence of pediculosis found in this study was 68.7%. The infestation was found in the primary school level (87.5%), which was significantly higher than pre-primary school (29.6%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Itching scalp was revealed in 93.0% of pediculosis. The results showed that occupation, religion, education, and income showed no significant difference between lice infested and non-infested students (<i>p</i> > 0.05). There was no significant association between sex, occupation, religion, education, income, status of parents, and family size among lice infested and non-infested students (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The parents/guardians showed the middle level of knowledge concerning with pediculosis capitis (66.8%). The lack of knowledge leading, first, to the belief that pediculosis does not need any treatment (89.2%), followed by boys getting head lice more frequently than girls (85.5%), and the belief that sharing infested combs, brushes, or hair ribbons does not result in lice transmission (79.9%). More than 75% of the parents/guardians had experienced infestation of head lice and showed themselves willing and able to diagnose and treat their family. However, 50.6% of them did not feel shame when their children were infested with head lice. Children washing their hair by themselves were found to be a significant factor in infestation (88.5%). High rate of pediculosis in this suburban school needs more intensive care by parents/guardians and teachers. Furthermore, improvement strategies to prevent and control lice in the school need to be more specifically planned and scheduled by teachers and health administrators.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"8420859"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9889157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9198002","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 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}