Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of Four Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits Used at the Enyiresi Government Hospital in the Eastern Region of Ghana","authors":"S. Domfeh, Boateng Y. Darkwa, Raymond K. Gablah, Evans Adu-Asamoah, C. Obirikorang","doi":"10.1155/2023/4226020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4226020","url":null,"abstract":"Microscopic identification of Plasmodium spp. is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis. However, malaria rapid diagnostic test kits are also available for prompt diagnosis. This study evaluated four routinely used malaria rapid diagnostic test kits at the Enyiresi Government Hospital in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 238 patients suspected of malaria. Venous blood samples were collected to identify Plasmodium falciparum using microscopic techniques. Further, the performances of four malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, First Response Malaria Ag Pf, Carestart Malaria Pf, SD Bioline Ag Pf, and ABON Malaria Pf, were evaluated using the results from the microscopy as the standard reference. As confirmed by microscopy, 65.5% (156/238) of the patients have falciparum malaria. All malaria rapid diagnostic test kits had sensitivities and specificities over 75% compared to microscopy results as the reference standard. However, the SD Bioline Ag Pf kit recorded the highest agreement with the microscopy (\u0000 \u0000 Cohe\u0000 n\u0000 ’\u0000 s\u0000  \u0000 kappa\u0000 =\u0000 0.879\u0000 \u0000 ). All the malaria rapid diagnostic test kits performed quite well and can be used in emergencies. However, results from these kits need to be confirmed by microscopy.","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"49 26","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41276721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of Chronic <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection with Pro-Inflamatory Cytokine Interleukin (IL)-12 Responses in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Bangladesh.","authors":"Tamanna Ashraf,&nbsp;Pankaj Kumar Sarker,&nbsp;Md Ismail Hosen,&nbsp;Atiqur Rahman,&nbsp;A K M Mahbub Hasan,&nbsp;Taibur Rahman","doi":"10.1155/2023/3885160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3885160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in around one-third of the world population, particularly in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most severe global health challenges in the 21st century, and especially, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for 90% of the diabetes cases diagnosed globally. In Bangladesh, the rate of T2DM is rising gradually with the improvement in living standards. The aim of this study is to find out the correlation between latent toxoplasmosis and T2DM, emphasizing the pro-inflammatory cytokine immunity. For this, 100 (<i>N</i> = 100) patients with T2DM and 100 (<i>N</i> = 100) healthy controls were enrolled to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, ELISA was also performed to determine the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-12, to understand its role in the development of toxoplasmosis. In our study, 39.39% of the T2DM patients were positive with anti-<i>T. gondii</i> Immunoglobulin G by ELISA, whereas the rate of seropositivity in healthy controls was 39.73%. We did not find significant association between <i>T. gondii</i> infection and T2DM, but our data confirmed a high prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis in Bangladeshi population. From hematology tests, it was found that the T2DM patients had significantly lower levels of total white blood cells (<i>P</i> = 0.0015), circulating eosinophils (<i>P</i> = 0.0026), and neutrophils (<i>P</i> = 0.0128) than the healthy controls. On the other hand, the levels of lymphocytes (<i>P</i> = 0.0204) and monocytes (<i>P</i> = 0.0067) were significantly higher in patients. Furthermore, <i>T. gondii</i> infected T2DM patients had significantly higher levels of IL-12 than the healthy controls (<i>P</i> = 0.026), suggesting a link between parasitic infection and IL-12 secretion. Further studies are to be performed to find out the exact cause of high prevalence of chronic <i>T. gondii</i> infection in Bangladeshi population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"3885160"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10185420/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9841633","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":"Geospatial Analysis and Molecular Epidemiologic Study of Emerging Pulmonary Lophomoniasis in Iran: A National Registry-Based Study.","authors":"Mohammad Amin Ghatee,&nbsp;Maryam Nakhaei,&nbsp;Ali Sharifpour,&nbsp;Mahdi Fakhar,&nbsp;Niloufar Mohamadi,&nbsp;Mostafa Soleymani,&nbsp;Siavash Abedi,&nbsp;Masoud Aliyali,&nbsp;Hossein Mehravaran","doi":"10.1155/2023/1039186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1039186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis (BPL) is a protozoan pulmonary disease that has been reported sporadically, but its incidence has been increasing. However, the epidemiology and risk factors of the disease have not been clearly identified. The current study aims to identify BPL cases molecularly and assess the demographic and some environmental factors for the first time on the prevalence of BPL as a national registry-based study in Iran. <i>Methodology</i>. The study tested 960 patients with lower respiratory tract symptoms whose bronchoalveolar lavage samples were submitted from seven provinces of Iran to the Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis. They were tested for BPL by a newly developed polymerase chain reaction test. The study assessed the association of Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), digital elevation model (DEM), and geographic latitude as environmental factors and sex and age as demographic factors on the prevalence of BPL. Geospatial information systems methods and chi-squared and Pearson's correlation tests were used for the assessment of geographical and environmental factor effects and statistical analysis, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 960 patients, 218 (22.7%) tested positive for BPL; the highest and lowest prevalence rates were reported from the south and northeast of Iran, respectively. The study found a correlation between geographic latitude and age with BPL prevalence, but no association was found for gender, NDVI, or DEM. Most patients were over 40 years old, and the rate of disease was higher in southern latitudes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Age and geographical latitude were found to be risk factors for BPL. More exposure to dust and/or chronic pulmonary problems may explain the higher prevalence of the disease in older adults. Higher rates of BPL in lower latitudes may be due to warmer weather and longer days, which can confine individual activities indoors and result in more contact with domestic insects and infected dust.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"1039186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10266910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9658985","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":"The Laboratory and Semi-Field Larvicidal Effects of Essential Oil Extracted from <i>Feronia limonia</i> against <i>Anopheles arabiensis</i> Patton.","authors":"Eliningaya J Kweka,&nbsp;France P Mdoe,&nbsp;Norah N Lowassari,&nbsp;Venugopalan Venkatesalu,&nbsp;Annadurai Senthilkumar","doi":"10.1155/2023/5907603","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5907603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study intended to evaluate the larvicidal activity of <i>Feronia limonia</i> leaf essential oil against the wild population of <i>Anopheles arabiensis</i> Patton larvae in laboratory and semi-field environments. Larvae mortality was observed after 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure. In laboratory condition, the essential oil showed good larvicidal activity against <i>An. arabiensis</i> (LC₅₀ = 85.61 and LC₉₅ = 138.03 ppm (after 12 hours); LC₅₀ = 65.53 and LC₉₅ = 117.95 ppm (after 24 hours); LC₅₀ = 32.18 and LC₉₅ = 84.59 ppm (after 48 hours); LC₅₀ = 8.03 and LC₉₅ = 60.45 ppm (after 72 hours), while in semi-field experiments, larvicidal activity was (LC₅₀ = 91.89 and LC₉₅ = 134.93 ppm (after 12 hours); LC₅₀ = 83.34 and LC₉₅ = 109.81 ppm (after 24 hours); LC₅₀ = 66.78 and LC₉₅ = 109.81 (after 28 hours); LC₅₀ = 47.64 and 90.67 ppm (after 72 hours). These results give an insight on the future use of <i>F. limonia</i> essential oils for mosquitoes control.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"5907603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9977545/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10843972","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":"Spatial-Temporal Variations in Parasitological Prevalence and Host-Related Risk Factors of Camel Trypanosomiasis and Its Vectors in North Eastern Kenya: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Kennedy O Ogolla,&nbsp;Judith K Chemuliti,&nbsp;Florence N Wamwiri,&nbsp;Joanna E Auma,&nbsp;Richard K Kurgat,&nbsp;Kennedy B Wanjala,&nbsp;Lawrence G Mugunieri,&nbsp;Phylis M Alusi,&nbsp;Raymond E Mdachi,&nbsp;Phoebe W Mukiria,&nbsp;Sylvance O Okoth","doi":"10.1155/2023/7218073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7218073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Camel trypanosomiasis (<i>Surra</i>) is endemic in the Horn of Africa. Understanding the spatiotemporal variations in <i>Surra</i> prevalence, vector dynamics, and host-related risk factors is important in developing effective control strategies. A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the <i>Surra</i> parasitological prevalence, livestock reservoirs, vector density/diversity, and host-related risk factors in Kenya. Random samples of 847, 1079, and 824 camels were screened at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and during the rainy season, respectively. Blood samples were examined using the dark ground/phase contrast buffy-coat technique, and <i>Trypanosoma</i> species were identified based on their movement and morphology in wet and stained thin smears. Reservoir status for <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i> was assessed in 406 cattle and 372 goats. A rainy and dry seasons entomological surveys were conducted to determine the <i>Surra</i> vector abundance/diversity and spatiotemporal density changes. <i>Surra</i> prevalence was 7.1%, 3.4%, and 4.1% at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and rainy season, respectively. Camel co-infections by <i>Trypanozoon (T. evansi</i> or <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i>) and <i>Trypanosoma vivax</i> were recorded. Spatial variations in <i>Surra</i> prevalence were recorded at the beginning of dry (<i>X</i> _{(7, <i>N</i> = 846)} ² = 110.9, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001), peak dry (<i>X</i> _{(7, <i>N</i> = 1079)} ² = 42.2, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001), and rainy (<i>X</i> _{(7, <i>N</i> = 824)} ² = 29.1, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) seasons. The screened cattle and goats tested negative for <i>Trypanozoon (T. evansi</i> or <i>T. b. brucei</i>), while two cattle tested positive for <i>Trypanosoma congolense</i>. Biting fly catches were composed of a single species from <i>Tabanus</i>, <i>Atylotus</i>, <i>Philoliche</i>, <i>Chrysops,</i> and <i>Stomoxys</i> genera. The total catches for <i>Philoliche</i>, <i>Chrysops</i>, and <i>Stomoxys</i> were higher in the rainy than dry season consistent with the prevalence results. <i>Surra</i> remains an important camel disease in the region with its prevalence varying in space and time. Camel co-infections by <i>Trypanozoon (T. evansi</i> or <i>T. b. brucei</i>) and <i>T. vivax</i> necessitate proper diagnosis of suspected cases and targeted therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"7218073"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10162873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9431714","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":"Study on Identification and Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks Genera Infestation in Cattle in the Case of Areka District, Wolaita Zone, and Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Gizachew Fentahun,&nbsp;Fanuel Bizuayehu,&nbsp;Teshager Dubie","doi":"10.1155/2023/6389473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6389473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and identify major ixodid ticks of cattle and associated risk factors in the case of Areka District, Woliata Zone, and Southern Ethiopia. Standard physical and direct stereomicroscopy techniques were employed for identification of tick genera. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared test analyses were used for data analysis and <i>P</i> < 0.05 was considered as significant. During the study period, a sample of 384 local breed cattle's were taken by random selection and a total of 683 adult ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested animals. Among 384 examined animals, 275 (71.6%; 95% CI: 62.8-80.4) animals were infested with one or more ixodid tick genera. In current study, the major ixodid tick genera infesting cattle were <i>Ambylomma</i> (32.2%), <i>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)</i> (30%), <i>Haylomma</i> (16.8%), and <i>Rhipicephalus</i> (21%), and most of the genera preferred dewlap and sternum body part of animal for attachment. Out of 184 male and 200 female cattle examined, 144 males (78.3%) and 131 females (65.5%) were positive for one or more adult ixodid tick genera. The difference also found statically significant (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The overall prevalence of hard tick's infestation was statistically significant (<i>P</i> < 0.05) across the age, origin, and body condition of cattle. In conclusion, the high level of prevalence of hard ticks infestation in the present study represent the most important problems of cattle and detrimental to production. According to this finding, it is recommended that owners who keep cattle should practice good management and regular deworming using acaricides and it is also important to create awareness among livestock owners about the veterinary importance of ticks for the integrated tick control.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"6389473"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9988377/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9451160","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 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}