Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi最新文献

{"title":"Cystic Echinococcosis in Pediatric Patients in Sivas Province: Clinical, Laboratory, Surgical, and Radiological Findings.","authors":"Kübra Fırtına Topcu, Levent Cankorkmaz, Mürşit Hasbek","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.91259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.91259","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the serological, clinical, and radiological findings in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in pediatric patients. The relationship between serological test results and clinical and radiological findings was also investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 216 pediatric patients (under 18 years old) who underwent indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) testing for CE differential diagnosis between January 2016 and December 2023. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, radiological imaging results, and surgical status were obtained from the hospital information management system. IHA tests were performed using a commercial kit (Hydatidose, Fumouze Laboratoires, France) following the manufacturer's protocol. A titer of ≥1/320 was considered positive, 1/160 as borderline, and <1/160 as negative. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CE was diagnosed in 40 (18.5%) of 216 patients based on combined clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluations. The mean age of the patients was 11.92±4.14 years, and 52.5% were male. IHA test results were positive in 31 (77.5%) patients and negative in 9 (22.5%). Radiological imaging showed a single cyst in 67.5% of patients and multicystic appearance in 32.5%. The most common cyst localizations were liver (67.5%), lung (22.5%), spleen (7.5%), and brain (2.5%). Surgery was performed in 42.5% of patients, while 22.5% were followed non-surgically. No statistically significant relationship was found between cyst number, localization, and IHA positivity (p>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings emphasize the importance of evaluating clinical, laboratory, and radiological data together for accurate and early diagnosis of CE. Due to the variable sensitivity of the IHA test, negative results should be confirmed with additional diagnostic methods. While radiological imaging provides critical information about cyst localization, further studies are needed to investigate the correlation between cyst number, localization, and clinical course. Larger patient series would help improve the diagnostic process and clinical management of pediatric CE.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 2","pages":"72-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253793","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":"Epidemiological Evaluation of Scabies Cases Presenting to a Tertiary Healthcare Facility Over a Five-year Period.","authors":"Necip Enis Kaya, Emine Çölgeçen","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.98704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.98704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and annual trends of scabies cases before, during, and after the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All patients diagnosed with scabies at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Yozgat Bozok University between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, including age, sex, nationality, and admission date, were retrieved from the hospital database.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two thousand ten of 50,887 patients (3.9%) were diagnosed with scabies during the five-year study period (2019-2023). The frequencies of scabies from 2019 to 2023 were 1.66%, 2.9%, 3.12%, 5.99%, and 5.82%, respectively, and a statistically significant difference was observed across the years (p<0.001). Males represented 54.5% of the total cases. The lowest frequency was in the second quarter of 2019, and the highest in the first quarter of 2023 (1.31% and 7.84% respectively). The fourth quarter exhibited the highest overall case count (p<0.001). The patient's mean age was 29.4±21.9 years, with significant annual variation (p=0.002). The prevalence of scabies was significantly higher among foreign patients than among Turkish nationals (p<0.001). Treatment failure and reinfestation peaked in 2020. Scabies was present in 1.71% (257/14,989) of patients prior to the pandemic, compared to 3% (261/8,687) during the pandemic (p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The incidence of scabies has increased gradually since 2019, with a marked rise observed in 2022, coinciding with the post-pandemic period. This may be linked to treatment resistance, poor compliance, limited healthcare access during the pandemic, and the lifting of restrictions thereafter. Reinfestation rates fell to their lowest level once oral ivermectin became available in early 2023. Public education and effective treatment strategies are essential for outbreak control.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 2","pages":"78-85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253743","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":"Prevalence of Liver Trematodes in Sheep and Goats Slaughtered in the Siirt Province Slaughterhouse.","authors":"Milad Afşar, Muhammed Yasul, Zeynep Taş Cengiz, Hasan Yılmaz","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.80774","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2026.80774","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Liver trematodes are parasites that adversely affect animal health and cause reduced productivity in ruminants in endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of liver trematodes in sheep and goats slaughtered in Siirt, where small ruminant breeding is widely practiced.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted between January 1 and May 15, 2025. Fecal samples collected from animals before slaughter at the Siirt province slaughterhouse were evaluated using the sedimentation method. In addition, the livers, bile ducts, and gallbladders of the slaughtered animals were examined macroscopically for adult parasites.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the slaughterhouse, fecal samples collected before slaughter <i>Fasciola</i> spp. in 14.4% of 195 sheep, and <i>Dicrocoelium dendriticum</i> (<i>D. dendriticum</i>) eggs in 4.1; in 237 goats, <i>Fasciola</i> spp. was found in 9.7% and <i>D. dendriticum</i> eggs in 3%. In the 195 sheep that underwent liver examination after slaughter, <i>Fasciola hepatica</i> (<i>F. hepatica</i>) was found in 22.1%, <i>D. dendriticum</i> was found in 9.7%; and in 237 goats, <i>F. hepatica</i> was found in 15.6% and <i>D. dendriticum</i> adults were found in 4.2%. No statistically significant difference was found between breeds and trematode positivity in sheep. Similarly, no significant difference was found between age groups and the frequency of trematode occurrence in sheep and goat.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this study conducted in Siirt province, the liver fluke infection rates we determined in sheep and goats indicate the need to combat these parasites. To prevent productivity losses and deaths in animals due to this infection, those involved in livestock farming need to be informed about this issue. Furthermore, it is crucial that animals are periodically examined and treated before being released into pasture.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 2","pages":"62-65"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253774","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":"Incidence and Economic Impact of Fasciolosis in Ruminants from Slaughterhouses in Bejaia Province (Northern Algeria): A Retrospective Survey (2017-2023).","authors":"El-Hacene Balla, Omar Besseboua, Mirela Imre, Kenza Rabhi, Kahina Meddour, Nadir Boudjlal Dergal, Abdelhanine Ayad","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.14471","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.14471","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Fasciolosis is considered an important parasitic disease, and also a primary source of morbidity and mortality in ruminants with significant economic losses and public health. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and the economic losses due to fasciolosis in ruminants from different local slaughterhouses in Bejaia province during 7-years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from different municipal slaughterhouses, supervised by the Provincial Veterinary Inspection of Bejaia, from January 2017 to December 2023. A veterinary inspected routine animal carcasses at each stage of the slaughtering process in the slaughtering units on a regular and systematic basis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of fasciolosis detected by post-mortem examination in cattle, sheep, and goats slaughtered during the study period was 1.58%, 0.04% and 0.02%, respectively. The desired absolute precision (d) of cattle, sheep and goats is 0.011%, 0.63% and 0.51%, respectively. In cattle, fasciolosis was significantly high in January, February, and March; and gradually decreased from April to September, then increased in October, November and December. On the other hand, the monthly cumulative prevalence rates of sheep and goats fasciolosis cases recorded was constant throughout the year. The high recorded prevalence was in autumn and winter was 1.92% and 1.78% in cattle, respectively (p≤0.05). An overall direct economic loss of 5,904,031€ was incurred during the period in this study from a totality of 12,321.2 kg of liver condemned. The indirect economic loss is due to carcass weight reduction as a result of fasciolosis infection was 44,746,454€.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study revealed that the prevalence of cattle fasciolosis was generally high compared to sheep and goats in the abattoir of Bejaia province associated with significant financial losses for butchers in the study area. Furthermore, livestock farmers should be made aware of the importance of this parasitose in order to reduce economic losses.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 1","pages":"22-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436321","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":"The Hidden Danger in the Eyelids: Diagnosis and Treatment of Bilateral Phthiriasis Palpebrarum - A Rare Pediatric Case Report.","authors":"Yusuf Samet Atlıhan, Olgar Öcal, Recep Uğur, Şule Saraçoğlu Yılmaz, Hatice Deniz İlhan","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.66934","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.66934","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare infestation of the eyelids caused by <i>Phthirus pubis</i>. This condition is particularly noteworthy as it is a rare cause of red eyes in children and can often be confused with other forms of blepharoconjunctivitis. In this study, we examined an 11-year-old male patient who was brought to our clinic by his family and presented with redness and itching in both eyes that had persisted for a month. Biomicroscopic examination revealed two live lice with mobile legs and a semi-transparent appearance on the eyelashes of both upper eyelids, together with a large number of eggs, particularly concentrated on the right eye. No foreign body was found in the eye. After the necessary protective measures had been taken, the lice and their eggs were carefully removed from the eyelashes using forceps. The parasitological examination of eyelash samples confirmed the presence of adult lice and eggs of <i>Phthirus pubis</i>. After a suitable treatment plan was developed and detailed hygiene recommendations were thoroughly explained, the patient was discharged. During the follow-up examination conducted one week later, no lice or eggs were detected on the eyelashes, and the blepharoconjunctivitis had regressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 1","pages":"45-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436278","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":"Investigation of Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index and Other Complete Blood Parameters in Cases with Amoebiasis.","authors":"Selin Uğraklı, Fatma Esenkaya Taşbent, Burcu Yağcı","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.32448","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.32448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong><i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> is a major parasitic cause of acute gastroenteritis. In this study, hematological inflammatory indices were assessed in adhesin-positive amoebiasis cases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adhesin test results and hemogram parameters were evaluated simultaneously in cases who were referred to Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Parasitology laboratory with suspicion of amoebiasis and whose <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> specific adhesin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was found to be positive between January 2022 and December 2023. In this study, the indices were calculated using haemogram parameters. Age- and sex-matched groups were formed, consisting of cases with adhesin test-positive acute gastroenteritis (APAG) and those with adhesin test-negative acute gastroenteritis (ANAG). In addition to common statistical analyses, the diagnostic performance of various hematologic inflammatory parameters in predicting adhesin positivity was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of 340 cases were analyzed, including 136 cases under the age of 18. Blood lymphocyte and monocyte levels were significantly lower in the APAG group compared to the ANAG group (p=0.004 and p=0.048, respectively), while no significant differences were observed in the remaining haemogram parameters. There was also no statistically significant difference in C-reactive protein levels between the groups (p=0.061). Among the calculated indices, only the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) showed a significant difference between groups (p=0.017). In the gender-based subgroup analysis of the APAG group, red blood cell levels were found to be lower in female cases (p=0.026), while no significant differences were observed in the calculated indices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study evaluated the predictive performance of various hematologic inflammatory parameters in determining adhesin test positivity. Although the PLR showed a statistically significant difference between groups, the positive and negative predictive values of all evaluated parameters remained moderate. These findings suggest that the diagnostic utility of these biomarkers is limited.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":" ","pages":"7-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146114599","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":"Assessment of the Knowledge Levels of University Students in Health Sciences Regarding Parasitic Diseases.","authors":"Canan Birimoğlu Okuyan, Fatma Cevahir","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.65002","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.65002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>A comprehensive understanding of parasitic diseases, which affect both human and animal health, is crucial for university students in health sciences as they prepare for their future roles as healthcare professionals. This study aims to assess the knowledge levels of university students in health sciences regarding parasitic diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This descriptive study was conducted with 498 students from the faculty of health sciences and the vocational school of health services at a state university in the Marmara Region. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included socio-demographic information and questions assessing students' knowledge of parasitic diseases. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0®, with a significance level set at p≤0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants had a mean age of 20.84±2.63 years, and 82.3% were female. A total of 80.9% of the students lived with their parents, and 73.7% reported a moderate family income. Nearly half (44.2%) were first-year students, 30.1% were enrolled in the department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and 68.1% resided in state dormitories. Most students (92.4%) recognized the importance of hand hygiene in preventing parasitic diseases, and 71.3% acknowledged that the location of household toilets could contribute to the occurrence of such diseases. However, 70.1% reported not receiving specific training or certification on hygiene. Female students demonstrated the highest awareness of hand hygiene benefits in preventing parasitic infections, while nursing students had the most extensive hygiene training (course/certificate) (p<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of students lack specialized courses or certifications on hygiene practices and have limited knowledge of parasitic diseases. Therefore, integrating scientific meetings and training sessions on parasitic diseases and preventive measures into the health sciences curriculum is essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 1","pages":"32-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436328","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":"Tissue-level Consequences of Segmental Abnormalities in <i>Hirudo verbana</i>: A Morphological and Histological Approach.","authors":"Halime Tozak Yıldız, Ertan Katırcı, Alican Bilden, Merve Kahraman, Nebahat Çağlayan, Muttalip Çiçek","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.52724","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.52724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the histological and morphological differences between healthy and deformed specimens of the medicinal leech <i>Hirudo verbana</i>, with particular focus on tissue integrity and cellular organization.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted comparative histological analysis using haematoxylin and eosin staining on tissue sections obtained from both healthy and deformed leeches. The evaluation included examination of epithelial layer integrity, muscle tissue organization, secretory cell distribution, and pigment accumulation patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Healthy specimens demonstrated well-preserved epithelial layers with regularly arranged circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. The secretory cells (T1, T2A, and T2B types) maintained normal distribution and activity, while melanin pigment showed limited and organized deposition in connective tissues. In contrast, deformed leeches exhibited significant structural abnormalities including disrupted epithelial layers, disorganized muscle architecture (particularly in circular muscles), and reduced T2B secretory cell populations. Notable accumulation of mononuclear immune cells, accompanied by increased melanin deposition, was observed in association with inflammatory foci. Morphological abnormalities included body segmentation defects, tissue atrophy, functional impairment of suckers, and compromised mobility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings demonstrate that deformation in <i>Hirudo verbana</i> leads to substantial histological and morphological alterations affecting epithelial integrity, muscular organization, secretory functions, and pigmentation patterns. These changes may significantly impact the leeches' biological functionality and therapeutic potential. Further investigation using immunohistochemical techniques and molecular analyses are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these pathological changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 1","pages":"38-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436372","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":"Evaluation of the Agreement of Indirect Hemagglutination Test with Radiologic Methods in the Diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis: A Retrospective Analysis of Two-year Laboratory Results.","authors":"Betül Günaydın, Hüseyin Haydar Kutlu, Tuğberk Baştürk","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.95967","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.95967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Many studies have been conducted to determine the distribution map of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in our country. However, there is no data from Uşak province in the literature. One of the aims of our study is to present the first hospital data on CE disease from Uşak province. Clinical findings, radiologic, and serologic methods are used in the diagnosis. Many studies have been conducted on the role of these identification methods in the diagnosis of CE. Another aim of our study was to evaluate the contribution of indirect hemagglutination (IHA) method and radiologic imaging results to the diagnosis of CE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In our study, IHA results of 320 patient serum sent to our laboratory with suspected CE were obtained through the hospital information management system. Demographic data such as age, gender and imaging reports such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were accessed from the hospital information system. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was evaluated using SPSS 25 package program.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hospital data from Uşak province were presented for the first time and the prevalence was calculated as 19.37%. Unlike previous studies, IHA positivity was statistically higher (p<0.001) in the 21-40 age range compared to other age groups in our study. In the diagnosis of CE, the IHA test was found to be inadequate in early [World Health Organization (WHO) type 1] and late stage (WHO type 4-5) cases, while this correlation was better in active lesions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We think that it would be useful to recommend titer follow-up instead of reporting patients with IHA results of 1/80 and 1/160 as negative and that the use of serologic methods as a supportive tool for radiologic imaging methods in the diagnosis of CE will contribute to accurate diagnosis and treatment follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":" ","pages":"15-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146107643","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":"An Investigation of Microsporidia Species in Humans Living in Düzce and Bolu Provinces of Türkiye.","authors":"Mücahit Çakmak, Erol Ayaz, Şükrü Öksüz, Betül Dönmez Gökboğa, Nagihan Ege","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.59389","DOIUrl":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.59389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The literature about microsporidia clearly shows that the prevalence of microsporidia varies at different rates depending on the sampling status and region in the studies. However, the majority of studies have been conducted in immunocompromised individuals. It is vital to determine the prevalence of pathogens in society in order to protect immunocompromised individuals from opportunistic pathogens. Consequently, the present study investigated stool samples from Düzce and Bolu provinces for microsporidia, irrespective of disease group.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A study of 400 stool samples from Düzce and Bolu was performed. The samples were first stained with trichrome and examined under a microscope at 100x magnification. DNA was then isolated, amplified with polymerase chain reaction primers, and the samples were identified. The relationship between microsporidia presence and age, sex, and diarrheal status was statistically investigated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following microscopic examination, microsporidia spores were detected in 25 of the 400 (6.25%). Microsporidia spores were detected in 6.6% (14/212) of the Düzce samples and 5.8% (11/188) of the Bolu samples. Consequently, molecular analysis revealed the presence of microsporidia in 49 of the 400 (12.25%). The positivity rates were found to be 11.3% (24/212) for Düzce and 13.3% (25/188) for Bolu. The spores detected in this study were identified as belonging to the species <i>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</i>. A statistical analysis was conducted, revealing no significant association between the presence of the pathogen and diarrhea complaints, gender, or age.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is seen that the presence of microsporidia in our study is at a level similar to rates reported in immunocompetent individuals around the world. Additionally, a correlation between the presence of microsporidia and complaints has been reported, especially in immunocompromised individuals, but no relationship has been determined with complaints in this study. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that neither age nor gender exhibited any correlation with the presence of microsporidia.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"50 1","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436264","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}