Abbas Ali Jafari, Abbas Fallah-Tafti, Ali Fattahi-Bafghi, Benafsha Arzy,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Different Candida species, especially Candida albicans have been known as part of human oral cavity normal flora. Changes in the oral environment resulting from tooth loss or denture application can affect oral micro-flora. The general purpose of the current study was to determine Candida species occurrence rate in the oral cavity of denture wearer patients in comparison with those without denture.
Materials and Methods: A total 30 edentulous elderly with complete removable denture and 30 dentulous elderly people, who had been admitted for non-prosthetic treatments, were randomly selected in Yazd dentistry department. Their oral rinse samples were collected for mycological examination, and cultured on CHROMagar Candida plates. Frequency and density of Candida species isolated from both groups were compared using SPSS software with T-test, and differences were considered significant at p<0.05.
Results: Oral Candida species were isolated from 63.3% of edentulous people with dentures in comparison with 33.3% dentulous elderly persons (p=0.001). Non-albicans Candida species were isolated more frequently in denture wearers compared with the dentulous group (p=0.03). There was no significant difference between both groups in case of Candida albicans isolation (p=0.09).
Conclusions: The findings of the current study show that long-term use of dentures in edentulous denture users can result in a wide Candida species colonization, causing denture stomatitis.
Ali Fattahi Bafghi, Mahin Ghafourzadeh,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Hydatidosis is a major health problem caused by larva stage of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus granulosus with a cosmopolitan distribution. Zoonoses have a mountain side distribution in Iran. Echinococcus granulosus takes places in two models sylvatic and domestic. Both life-cycles are present in Iran and human is considered as an afferent host. The prevalence rate of hydatidosis is different, ranging from 1-220 cases in 100000 individuals and mortality rate of hydatidosis up to 2-4%. The aim of the present study was to explore the frequency of human hydatic cyst in Yazd province, Iran from 2006 to2011.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study applied through census for five years which investigated all of the profiles concerned with surgeries.
Results: A total of 26911 surgeries were performed on individuals for five years 12 cases (0.045%) were infected with hydatic cyst out of which 9 cases (75%) were affected through liver, 1 case (33.34%) through pulmonary, 1 case (33.33%) through intestine and 1 case (33.33%) through cerebellum. 50% of the infected individuals were females. Morbidity age was 8-69 years, 7(66.67%) cases who were infected with Echinococcus granulosus were natives and 5 cases (33.33%) were non-natives. Among non-native individuals 2 cases were foreigners.
Conclusions: Yazd province is a dry area and the desert cycle of Echinococcus granulosus is present in it. Jackals and wolves act as final hosts and goats and camels are the intermediated hosts. Based on the findings compared with those in other areas, the prevalence rate in these areas are similar requiring more control in using water, beverages, fruits and vegetables.
Ali Fattahi Bafghi, Mahboubehsadat Sadeghian, Akbar Baghiani, Arefeh Dehghani Tafti,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (11-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Giardia lamblia infection is a common cause of food and water-borne diarrhea in non-sanitary communities. Infections are common in children, particularly in child-care centers, backpackers, travelers, and homosexuals. Zinc is necessary for the immune system functions. Zinc deficiency is associated with acute diarrhea. Copper is essential for the production of red blood cells, hemoglobin formation and absorption of iron, and for the activity of various enzymes. However, the association between trace elements and Giardiasis has rarely been investigated. The aim of this experiment was comparison of trace elements of zinc and copper between children with Giardiasis and healthy.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out between 30 children with Giardiasis and 30 children of control group. It was undertaken in both children aged 3 to 10 years without any history of Giardiasis and children with symptomatic Giardiasis. The hematological examination was performed. Serum zinc and copper levels were measured. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 statistical software.
Results:. Zinc levels in the study group was remarkably lower than the control group (68.94 vs. 153.99 µg/dl, p=0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in serum copper levels between case (309.27 µg/dl) and control (253.19 µg/dl) groups (p=0.003).
Conclusions: Giardiasis elevated the serum copper levels, while it decreased the serum zinc.
Vahid Nasiri, Gholamreza Karimi, Habibollah Paykari, Gholamreza Motamedi, Shahla Rivaz, Mohammad Eslampanah,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (5-2016)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Aims: The protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania can be stated as the causative agents of the various clinical diseases. Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) is the major part of the Leishmania culture media, which is the most expensive ingredient in these media. The coconut water is packed with nutrients that yield an array of health benefits.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, the efficacy of the coconut water was evaluated in the cultivation of promastigotes of Leishmania infantum.
Results: The results indicated that, the coconut water enriched with culture medium could not support the growth of the parasites and cannot be used for cultivation of Leishmania infantum.
Conclusions: Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases that can cause human infections varying from self-healing cutaneous lesions to mucosal diffuse cutaneous and visceral forms. It is concluded that although the coconut water is an easy available and cheap replacement for FCS, it could not be used in cultivation process of Leishmania infantum promastigotes.
Ali Fattahi Bafghi, Banafsheh Goudiani, Mohammad Hossein Mosadegh, Arefeh Dehghani, Maryam Sadeh,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (8-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Leishmaniasis is an intracellular protozoan- parasitic disease, the common vector of transmission. Both zoonotic and anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are endemic in different foci. With regard to the cutaneous form, 1.0-1.5 million cases were reported annually with 90% of the cases. Although antimony-containing compounds that are the main drugs used to treat Leishmaniasis has been recommended for CL treatment by the World Health Organization, but there are some restrictions in this case, including high expense, side effects, frequent injections need, and incomplete efficacy. The current research was conducted the effect of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus beta-haemolytic Supernatants’ on Leishmania major promastigotes (PMs) viability: an in vitro study.
Materials and Methods: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus beta-haemolytic cultured for preparing supernatant, then Leishmania (L) major strain [MRHO/IR/75/ER] PMs cultured in Novy-Nicolle-Mac Neal (NNN) and roswell park memorial institute 1640 media. The cell proliferation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, BrdU (Chemiluminescent) was performed as described by Roche Diagnostics. The mean of the viability PMs of Leishmania (L) major strain [MRHO/IR/75/ER] in culture according to Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus beta-haemolytic supernatant, Glocantime concentrations and in the control group (Glocantime) was obtained.
Results: It was shown that there was a statistical significant difference among Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus beta-haemolytic supernatant inhibits growth of Leishmania (L) major strain [MRHO/IR/75/ER] PMs with the control group (p<0.05) .
Conclusions: These exciting results suggest that Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus beta-haemolytic Supernatants have significant therapeutic potential as novel anti-leishmanial.
Mahin Ghafourzade, Seyed Mohammad Seifati, Seyed Ali Fatehifazli, Erfan Zaker,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (8-2018)
Abstract
Aims and Background: For a long time, intestinal parasite infections are among the major problems of Public health in Iran. Our aim was epidemiological studies on the frequency of intestinal parasites in patients referred to medical centers of Shahid Sadoughi University in Yazd during 2015-2016.
Materials and Methods: In a two years cross-sectional study in the medical centers of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, 31000 stool samples were evaluated for parasitic infections by direct smear and formalin-ether concentration methods.
Results and Conclusions: The results showed that Incidence was 3.8%. Protozoan infection were Blastocystis hominis (1.75%), Giardia lambelia (1.45%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.35%), Trichomonas hominis (0.05%) and helmints in infections were Hymenolepis nana (0.11%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.08%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.01%). There was a significant difference in parasite prevalence between age categories. However, no significant difference was found with gender. The intestinal parasites, especially helminthic infections have been decreased during recent years.
Mohsen Arbabi, Sara Soleimani Jevinani, Hossein Nahrevanian, Hossein Hooshyar, Ahmad Reza Esmaeili Rastaghi, Mahdi Delavari, Fatemeh Sadat Ghasemi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (2-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: The aim of this study is to clarify nitric oxide (NO)-production by spleen and the importance of spleen in malaria infection in murine model.
Materials and Methods: Thirty outbred NMRI female mice were divided into four groups, Group I: No intervention (Healthy control), Group II: With splenectomy (Healthy test), Group III: No intervention, Inoculation of contaminated blood (Infected control), Group IV: With splenectomy, inoculation of contaminated blood (Infected test). The Parasitemia was counted every other day through Giemsa stain examination of animal blood. The parasitemia and survival rates, hepatosplenomegaly and body weight were recorded. After terminal anesthesia, plasma and liver/spleen suspensions were assessed by the Griess micro assay for measurement of NO-levels.
Results: At the end of the experiment (on day 16), the parasitemia was 26.99±0.46 % among the group of non-splenectomized animals (Group III) compared with 31.25±0.72% among the group of splenectomized animals (Group IV). The average parasitemia among the groups at the end of the experiment was statistically significant (Group III, Group IV: p= 0.0002). Survival rate was statistically significant (p<0.0001). NO concentrations in plasma, liver and spleen were determined. The amount of NO in plasma increased significantly in the infected groups (p=0.0003).
Conclusions: Although, splenectomy decreased immune function against rodent malaria, it did not solely changed the pattern of antimalarial activity via NO-pathway. It is concluded that NO possibly comes from several sources rather than spleen during rodent malaria disease and is released into circulation, which may replace NO shortage by splenic cells to combat malaria parasites.
Ali Fattahi Bafghi, Moneyreh Modares Mosadegh, Mehrdad Ghaemi, Seyed Hassan Hejazian,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Because of the toxicity and side-effects of synthetic drugs, there is a growing interest in biomedical plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antileishmanial activity of Carum copticum essential oil against Leishmania (L) major.
Materials and Methods: Nineteen experimental groups were designed to determine the effect of Carum copticum essential oil against L. major and compare it with Meglumine antimonite. Group 1 was the control group and included 200 µl of RPMI 1640 plus 2×105 cells/ml promastigotes. Groups 2-10 included the aforementioned substances plus 10 µl of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 µg/ml of Carum copticum essential oil respectively. Groups 11-19 were similar to groups 2-10 but Meglumine antimonite (0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 µg/ml) was used instead of Carum copticum essential oil. All the experiments were repeated five times. After 8 hours, the antileishmanial activities of studied substances were determined.
Results: Up to concentration of 0.5 µg/ml, no effect was observed with both substances. In comparison to control group, at 1 and 2 µg/ml, Meglumine antimonite had no effect on Leishmaniasis (p>0.05) while Carum copticum essential oil significantly decreased Leishmaniasis viability (p<0.05). Moreover, at 3 µg/ml, both compounds significantly decreased Leishmaniasis viability (p<0.05). However, Carum copticum essential oil had substantially better Antileishmanial activity than the other.
Conclusions: These results suggest that comparable concentrations, in vitro antileishmanial activity of Carum copticum essential oil is better than Meglumine antimonite.
Vahid Nasiri, Farnoosh Jameie, Habibollah Paykari,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: The protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of various clinical diseases. Different methods of cultivation of Leishmania parasites are available. In the present study, the efficacy of the LB broth with rabbit lyophilized anti-sheep red blood cell haemolysin was evaluated in the cultivation of promastigotes of Leishmania major.
Materials and Methods: Conventional LB broth medium was prepared and autoclaved for 15 min at 121°C and then lyophilized rabbit anti-sheep cell haemolysin was added at 1-10% final concentrations. The efficacy of the medium was evaluated by assessing the growth ability and replication patterns of the promastigotes of Leishmania major.
Results: Medium with 1-10% lyophilized rabbit haemolysin supported the growth of the parasites and can be used for cultivation of Leishmania parasites with acceptable In vivo infectivity for research purpose.
Conclusions: The ability of the parasites to survive and proliferate in the presence of lyophilized rabbit haemolysin indicates that this material is a good nutritional source. This study opens a new way to make low-cost medium that can be used in cultivation of Leishmania parasites.
Farzaneh Mirzaei, Vahid Raissi, Aref Teimouri, Parisa Mousavi, Mohammad Ali Mohaghegh, Mahdi Dehghan-Manshadi, Fateme Zare, Bahman Rahimi Esboei,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoa that is associated with vaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis and other vaginal disorders. Current study aimed to evaluate the anti-Trichomonas activity of Medicago sativa and Satureja hortensis, in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of Medicago sativa and Satureja hortensis were obtained by rotary evaporator. anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activities of the extracts in different concentrations were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hr of incubation of the cultured media.
Results and Conclusions: The data showed a significant difference between concentration and time regarding the Satureja hortensis and Medicago sativa extracts compared to the negative control (p<0.05). According to the results, the anti- trichomonas activity of the Medicago sativa and Satureja hortensis extracts may make it possible to use them in the treatment of trichomoniasis.
Tooran Nayeri Chegeni, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Fariba Khoshzaban, Abdolhosein Dalimi Asl, Hoda Mirzaian, Farnoosh Jameie,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous amphizoic organism which can cause lethal diseases such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and unfortunately, the infection has now increased in the world. The aim here was to evaluate in vitro anti-Acanthamoeba properties of crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Myrtus communis.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, a clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba was cultured and genotyped. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Myrtus communis were prepared. Then, various concentrations of Myrtus communis extracts (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/ml) were tested at three different times (24, 48 and 72 hr) on trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba in vitro. The viability of trophozoites or cysts was tested by trypan blue method. Unstained (viable) and stained (nonviable) parasites were evaluated by counting with a neobar lam.
Results: The percentage of viablity of trophozoites and cysts after adding ethanolic extract of Myrtus communis was 0% and 8.62%, respectively. Moreover, at 10 mg/ml concentration of aqueous extract of Myrtus communis, 0% trophozoites and 31.10% cysts lived after 72 h.
Conclusions: This extract can be used as a safe anti-Acanthamoeba agent against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba and further investigations are recommended to show the effects of this plant as an antiparasitic drug in animal models and volunteer infected people.
Tooran Nayeri Chegeni, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Majid Pirestani, Fariba Khoshzaban, Abdolhossein Dalimi Asl, Nahid Maspi,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are unicellular amphizoic opportunistic pathogens that may cause fatal granulomatous encephalitis, eye keratitis, amebic pneumonitis and skin nodules as well as abscesses in humans and animals. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by trauma to the eye, contaminated cleaning solutions and the use of contact lenses. The aim of the present study was to identify the genotypes of Acanthamoeba in all patients with a clinical diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis referring to eye clinic in Tehran using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Materials and Methods: In this study, samples were collected from 35 patients who had referred to the eye clinic and were cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar. DNA was extracted, and then PCR amplification was performed using genus specific primers. Sequencing analysis and basic local alignment search tool search were conducted to determine the genotypes. Phylogenetic tree was generated using maximum likely algorithm in phylogenetic program MEGA version 6.
Results: Eight cases were positive for Acanthamoeba using genus specific primer pairs. All specimens were reported as genotype T4.
Conclusions: Determination of genotypes showed all isolates belonging to genotype T4; this abundance may be due to its higher prevalence in the environment or its greater virulence. However, further analysis of clinical and environmental samples is necessary to clarify this property.
Komeil Mazhab-Jafari, Rouhollah Rouhandeh, Razieh Bahrami, Firooz Shahrivar,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (8-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Globally, intestinal parasitic infections are a significant risk to human health. These infections may cause many health problems for humans, such as reduced growth, especially in children. This study, epidemiologically, aims to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections which are collected from three medical centers in the city of Masjed Soleyman located in the southwest of Iran from 2010 to 2017.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, documented data of three medical center’s laboratories in Masjed Soleyman were collected through the years 2010 to 2017. In these medical centers, conventional parasitology methods such as direct observation are employed for detection, and other techniques have been practiced in required cases.
Results: Out of 45829 patients, 9.7% of the patients were infected by the intestinal parasites. Statistical analysis has revealed that there is a significant relationship between the rate of infection and sex and season. Conclusions: Considering the obtained data, the incidence of protozoan parasites is more than worm infections. Despite increased levels of public health, parasitic infections that are transmitted directly are still found in the community. The air temperature, sex, environmental pollution, and lifestyle are effective factors in increasing or decreasing these infections.
Vahid Nasiri,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (2-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aims: In most of the studies, Toxoplasma gondii is maintained in laboratory mice or studied in vitro using non-lymphoid cell lines or primary mouse macrophages. The target of our research was to design a new axenic culture of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites to providing a sufficient quantity of them.
Material and Methods: Theileria annulata-infected lymphoblastoids, which had been maintained up to 260 sub-cultures to attenuate the Theileria annulata, were evaluated for their suitability to the cultivation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. This cultivation process was carried out continuously for up to 10 passages, and after each 5 sub-culture, 0.1 ml of culture suspension (1×106 tachyzoites) was inoculated to each BALB/c mouse.
Results: It was observed that the tachyzoites have attacked the lympho-blastoids, multiplied inside them, and many fresh tachyzoites with typical shape and gliding movement were present in the culture suspension. In all processes of cultivation, the pathogenesis of parasites remained stable, and they were able to proliferate in mice and eventually lead to the death of the animals.
Conclusions: We describe here a new protocol for prolonged maintenance of tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii, which is more efficient (both in terms of yield and cost (it does not need fetal calf serum)) than other traditional methods for maintenance of the parasite.
Somayeh Ahmadi, Gilda Eslami, Mahmoud Vakili, Kazem Barzegar, Ali Fattahi Bafghi,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (8-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a significant health problem in many parts of Iran. Management of the disease and its treatment is a global dilemma. In this study, the status and the proportions of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major and tropica among suspected patients referred to the Health Centers of Abarkouh, Ardakan, Bafgh, and Khatam cities, Yazd Province, Iran were investigated.
Materials and Methods: The lesion was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy and conventional polymerase chain reaction.
Results: A total of 90 samples were prepared of which 64 (71.1%) were male and 26 (27.9%) were female. Also, 30 (33.3%) samples came from Ardakan, 29 (32.2%) samples from Bafgh, 21 (23.3%) samples from Abarkouh, and 10 (11.1%) samples from Khatam city. Ninety samples with 112 lesions were recruited and parasitologically examined. The results showed that, in macroscopic examination, 90 of the patients had 59 lesions: patients with lesion(s) induced by Leishmania major = 52 (M=35, 67.3%, F=17, 32.7%), lesion(s) induced by Leishmania tropica =4 (M=2, 50.0%, F=2, 50.0%), and lesion(s) induced by false positive =33 (36.4%). Basides, in microscopic method, 90 of the patients had 59 lesions: patients with lesion(s) induced by Leishmania major =44 (M=29, 65.9%, F=15, 34.09%), lesion(s) induced by Leishmania tropica =9 (M=8, 88.8%, F=1, 11.2%), and lesion(s) induced by false positive =37 (M=28, 75.7%, F=9, 24.3%).
Conclusion: Although travel history to an endemic area is important for diagnosis, parasitological confirmation is necessary to initiate treatment.
Naser Nazari, Tooran Nayeri, Farkhondeh Hazrati,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (8-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) is a cestode parasite that causes cystic hydatid disease in humans worldwide. Iran is one of the endemic regions for infection that indicate the importance and presence of infection in this country. Therefore, the current research aimed to characterize the seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in Sanandaj city, Kurdistan province, western Iran.
Materials and methods: Totally, 500 serum samples were collected from patients referred to different health centers in Sanandaj city using cluster sampling in 2018-2019. All the sera were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test.
Results: The seroprevalence of human hydatidosis was reported at 2.2% by ELISA test in Sanandaj city. This rate was 9 (1.9%) in women and 2 (0.4) in men. The age group of 20-30 years old had the highest positivity rate (1.0%). Also, the subjects that consumed home slaughtered meat had the highest infection rate at 4 (0.8%). There was no significant difference regarding factors studied such as sex, education, residence, consumed water, keeping a dog, and the seropositivity.
Conclusions: Seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in Sanandaj city is lower than the general prevalence in Iran. Our research team hopes to provide accurate data on the prevalence of hydatidosis in Sanandaj encourage more extensive research to help prevent this parasite in Iran and worldwide.
Esmaeil Sarani, Maryam Hataminejad , Hakim Azizi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (11-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease with worldwide distribution caused by the larval stage of ascaridoid nematodes of dogs (Toxocara canis) and cats (Toxocara cati). The study was accomplished to determine the sequence variation in ITS2 and COX1 genes within isolates of Toxocara canis.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred Stool samples were collected randomly from dogs in public parks and streets from different regions of Zabol. Thirty samples containing eggs were isolated from the feces using Formalin ether 10% and centrifugal flotation. Genomic DNA was extracted, and COX1 and ITS2 were amplified by PCR-RFLP and sequenced. Sequence data were aligned using the BioEdit software and BLAST program and compared with published sequences in GenBank. The phylogenetic relationship between isolates of T. canis from Zabol city with other regions based on sequences obtained from COX1 and ITS2 genes and using MEGA7.0 software was investigated.
Results: For all samples, amplicons of about 388 and 422 base pairs were produced by PCR for ITS2 and COX1, respectively. Drawing the phylogenic tree of ITS2 and COX1 sequences of isolates of T. canis showed that the identified genotypes are not only different from each other but also from other parts of the world.
Conclusions: Our result showed that genetic variation among isolates of T. canis from Zabol is very low. For a deeper understanding of genetic diversity among populations of Toxocara, it is recommended to analyze more isolates from various geographical areas and variable genetic markers.
Tahereh Mikaeili Galeh, Maryam Nakhaei, Ahmad Daryani, Shahabeddin Sarvi, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Shirzad Gholami,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aims: The genus Gongylonema infects the upper digestive tract of birds, mammals, and humans. Livestock parasites, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, have caused irreparable damage, including death, reduced products, and economic losses. The present study aimed to reveal the prevalence and morphological and morphometric study of Gongylonema spp. isolated from the esophagus of slaughtered sheep in Sari, northern Iran.
Materials and Methods: Esophagi of 340 sheep were collected from Sari's industrial slaughterhouse during the summer and autumn of 2021 (summer=115, autumn= 225). After longitudinal cutting, the surfaces of the esophageal mucosa were carefully checked under the light. The prevalence of infection was estimated, and the morphometric and morphological characteristics of the isolated worms were investigated using a calibrated light microscope and camera lucida.
Results: The prevalence of infection was 7.6% (26 isolates), which was estimated for summer and autumn 12 out of 115 (10.4%) and 14 out of 225 (6.2%), respectively. A comparison of morphological features of nematodes in this study with Gongylonema morphological criteria showed that all of them were Gongylonema pulchrum.
Conclusions: In the present study, a moderate gongylonemiasis infection was estimated in the sheep from Sari's industrial slaughterhouse. Morphological examination of the retrieved worms showed characteristic morphologies of Gongylonema pulchrum. To clarify the status of the infection, several morphological and molecular studies should be performed on different types of intermediate and final hosts of the parasite in different parts of the country.
Soghra Viesy, Amin Jaydari, Jahangir Abdi, Iman Pouladi,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan infection caused by a forced intracellular parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, a branch of the apicomplexa found in humans and numerous species of animals. This study aimed to determine the titer of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in patients referred to the Central Laboratory of Ilam City and to define their effective factors in the prevalence of this disease using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Materials and Methods: The current study was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a random sampling of 116 patients' serum referred to the Central Laboratory of Ilam City. Samples were analyzed using ELISA for the presence of Immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii.
Results: Twenty-three samples (19.8%) out of 116 serum samples were detected using anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Nineteen samples out of these 23 (16.4%) samples were antibody IgG while the other 4 were IgM antibodies. The results of the Chi-square test showed a significant difference between IgG-positive titer and sex, level of education, place of residence, age, and marital status; however, no significant difference was found between these variables and positive IgM titer.
Conclusion: As a large number of people are susceptible to acute toxoplasmosis infection and lack proper health information, it is necessary to adopt monitoring and control measures by health care officials to prevent the infection through the necessary training and health recommendations.
Fahimeh Eshraghi Samani, Soleiman Kheiri, Ebrahim Saedi Dezak, Farhad Seif, Kobra Mokhtarian, ,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (11-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most dangerous parasitic infections in immunocompromised patients. It may pass through the bloodstream to various organs, such as the reproductive organs of intermediate hosts, which may lead to male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between T. gondii infection and infertility in infertile men referred to the infertility center of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study,129 men, including 67 infertile and 62 fertile men, participated, and specific anti-Toxoplasma antibodies of IgG and IgM were detected in the serum of all cases using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Also, the presence of T.gondii DNA in the seminal fluid samples of these people was detected using the polymerase chain reaction method. Sperm analyses, including sperm count, morphology, motility, and viscosity, were also performed on the seminal fluid.
Results: Based on the result of the IgG antibody, a significant difference was found in toxoplasmosis in two fertile and infertile groups. Its frequency was 16.1% in the fertile group and 40.3% in the infertile group. Also, Toxoplasma infection showed a relationship with sperm count and sperm morphology, so its frequency was 72.7% in the low sperm group and 24.6% in the high sperm group. The results of IgM and polymerase chain reaction showed, there was no significant relationship between the fertile and infertile groups with toxoplasmosis.
Conclusion: The serum prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and molecular detection in infertile men is higher than the control group, and it seems that Toxoplasma may be an effective risk factor for causing male infertility and disruption of sperm parameters.
