RESUMEN
Domestic pigs serve as significant hosts and reservoirs for multiple parasite species, some specific to pigs and many others of zoonotic importance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites in pigs within a rural area in northeastern Argentina. We also examined demographic information, breeding conditions, and exposure factors associated with parasite presence. Pig feces were subjected to coprological examination through flotation and sedimentation techniques. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique was employed to examine oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. In total, 29 family farms with pig pens were analyzed, and 42 stool samples were collected from pigs on these farms. At the farm level, the presence of at least one parasite species was recorded in 27 rural houses (93.1%). We found that 90.4% of pigs were parasitized, with a specific parasitoses of 10 species, with a maximum of six species in a single host. The most prevalent protozoa were Entamoeba spp. (57.1%) and Blastocystis sp. (45.2%), followed by Iodamoeba butschlii (33.3%), Neobalantidium coli (21.4%), coccidia (14.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (9.5%) and Giardia spp. (2.3%). The most prevalent helminths were Strongylidae eggs (52.3%), Ascaris spp. (14.2%) and Trichuris spp. (2.3%). We advocate for an urgent need to implement a comprehensive prophylaxis program prioritizing general hygiene practices such as regular cleaning, removal of fecal material and renewal of drinking water. Additionally, vaccination and deworming protocols should be implemented. Furthermore, this study highlights the necessity for molecular-level evaluations to detect potential zoonotic genotypes of the identified protozoa.
Asunto(s)
Granjas , Heces , Parasitosis Intestinales , Enfermedades de los Porcinos , Animales , Argentina/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Prevalencia , Porcinos , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Heces/parasitología , Femenino , Sus scrofa/parasitología , MasculinoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Techniques for diagnosing intestinal parasites need technological advancements in the preanalytical (collection/processing) and analytical (detection) stages. The dissolved air flotation (DAF) technique effectively recovers parasites from processed feces for routine diagnosis. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a practical and affordable alternative to modernize the analysis stage of microscopy images and generates high efficiency in the parasitological examination of feces. METHODS: The objective of this study was to standardize a laboratory protocol for stool processing using the DAF technique in conjunction with an automated diagnosis of intestinal parasites (DAPI) system. A total of 400 samples were obtained to perform the tests with the use of DAF to verify the recovery of the parasites as a function of the chemical reagent (polymer and surfactant), the volume of the flotation tube, and standardization of smear assembly on a microscopy slide, with automated analysis by DAPI. The DAF protocol that obtained the most satisfactory results in terms of parasite recovery (P < 0.05) and slide positivity was compared with the Three Fecal Test (TF-Test) protocol with manual (microscopists) and automated (DAPI) evaluation. We compared the sensitivity with the modified TF-Test technical protocol and the diagnostic agreement with the gold standard (Kappa) result. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the parasite recovery between the 10 ml and 50 ml tubes (P > 0.05). The surfactants showed a range of parasite recoveries between 41.9% and 91.2% in the float supernatant. We obtained a maximum positivity of 73% of the assembled slides when we applied DAF processing with 7% CTAB surfactant and 57% positivity with the modified TF-Test technique. Regarding diagnostic performance, the TF-Test-modified and DAF techniques used in fecal processing for subsequent computerized analysis by AI presented sensitivities of 86% and 94%, with kappa agreements of 0.62 and 0.80 (substantial), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The DAF protocol defined in this study and the DAPI system are innovative processes for parasite recovery and fecal debris elimination that are favorable for effectively detecting pathogenic structures in laboratory diagnosis.
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Heces , Parasitosis Intestinales , Heces/parasitología , Humanos , Parasitosis Intestinales/diagnóstico , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Manejo de Especímenes/métodos , Animales , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Automatización de Laboratorios/métodosRESUMEN
Disseminated leishmaniasis is an emerging clinical form of Leishmania braziliensis infection. Evidence shows that co-infection by L. braziliensis and intestinal helminths does not affect clinical manifestations or response to therapy in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. We evaluated whether co-infection was associated with those aspects in disseminated leishmaniasis patients in Brazil.
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Coinfección , Helmintiasis , Parasitosis Intestinales , Humanos , Brasil/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/complicaciones , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Helmintiasis/complicaciones , Helmintiasis/epidemiología , Helmintiasis/parasitología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Leishmania braziliensis/aislamiento & purificación , Adulto Joven , Adolescente , Animales , AncianoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The Gran Chaco ecoregion is a well-known hotspot of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including Chagas disease, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and multiparasitic infections. Interspecific interactions between parasite species can modify host susceptibility, pathogenesis and transmissibility through immunomodulation. Our objective was to test the association between human co-infection with intestinal parasites and host parasitaemia, infectiousness to the vector and immunological profiles in Trypanosoma cruzi-seropositive individuals residing in an endemic region of the Argentine Chaco. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional serological survey for T. cruzi infection along with an intestinal parasite survey in two adjacent rural villages. Each participant was tested for T. cruzi and Strongyloides stercoralis infection by serodiagnosis, and by coprological tests for intestinal parasite detection. Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream parasite load was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR), host infectiousness by artificial xenodiagnosis and serum human cytokine levels by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The seroprevalence for T. cruzi was 16.1% and for S. stercoralis 11.5% (n = 87). We found 25.3% of patients with Enterobius vermicularis. The most frequent protozoan parasites were Blastocystis spp. (39.1%), Giardia lamblia (6.9%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (3.4%). Multiparasitism occurred in 36.8% of the examined patients. Co-infection ranged from 6.9% to 8.1% for T. cruzi-seropositive humans simultaneously infected with at least one protozoan or helminth species, respectively. The relative odds of being positive by qPCR or xenodiagnosis (i.e. infectious) of 28 T. cruzi-seropositive patients was eight times higher in people co-infected with at least one helminth species than in patients with no such co-infection. Trypanosoma cruzi parasite load and host infectiousness were positively associated with helminth co-infection in a multiple regression analysis. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) response, measured in relation to interleukin (IL)-4 among humans infected with T. cruzi only, was 1.5-fold higher than for T. cruzi-seropositive patients co-infected with helminths. The median concentration of IL-4 was significantly higher in T. cruzi-seropositive patients with a positive qPCR test than in qPCR-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a high level of multiparasitism and suggest that co-infection with intestinal helminths increased T. cruzi parasitaemia and upregulated the Th2-type response in the study patients.
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Enfermedad de Chagas , Coinfección , Helmintiasis , Parasitosis Intestinales , Trypanosoma cruzi , Humanos , Trypanosoma cruzi/inmunología , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Trypanosoma cruzi/aislamiento & purificación , Coinfección/parasitología , Coinfección/epidemiología , Coinfección/inmunología , Enfermedad de Chagas/epidemiología , Enfermedad de Chagas/complicaciones , Enfermedad de Chagas/parasitología , Enfermedad de Chagas/sangre , Enfermedad de Chagas/inmunología , Animales , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Parasitosis Intestinales/complicaciones , Parasitosis Intestinales/inmunología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Helmintiasis/complicaciones , Helmintiasis/parasitología , Helmintiasis/epidemiología , Helmintiasis/inmunología , Adulto Joven , Adolescente , Argentina/epidemiología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Strongyloides stercoralis/inmunología , Strongyloides stercoralis/aislamiento & purificación , Parasitemia/parasitología , Parasitemia/epidemiología , Células Th2/inmunología , Niño , Estrongiloidiasis/epidemiología , Estrongiloidiasis/parasitología , Estrongiloidiasis/complicaciones , Estrongiloidiasis/inmunología , Estrongiloidiasis/sangre , Anciano , Citocinas/sangre , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangreRESUMEN
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia in children of two Guarani communities in Misiones, Argentina, and to analyze its association with socioenvironmental and parasitic factors. This cross-sectional study took place in two villages, Koen Ju and Kaa Poty, and included Mbya Guarani children aged 6 months to 14 years. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the association of anemia with the presence of intestinal parasites. Altogether, 162 children were included in the study: 53.1% were boys, 32.7% had low weight-for-age, and 22.2% low height-for-age. Nearly half (46.9%, n=76) had anemia, which was mainly mild (92.1%), with a few moderate cases (7.9%). Of the 109 children who underwent testing for intestinal parasites, 89 (81.7%) had at least one, and 53 (59.5%) had more than one. The main parasite was Blastocystis hominis (49.5%), followed by Entamoeba coli (47.7%), hookworms (36.7%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (31.5%). In the multivariable analysis, anemia was associated with intestinal parasitosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-16.5; p=0.038) and male sex (adjusted OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.08-6.47; p= 0.01). Overall, we found that both anemia and intestinal parasites are common in the pediatric population of the Guarani ethnic group. Intestinal parasites and male sex were associated with the presence of anemia.
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Anemia , Parasitosis Intestinales , Humanos , Argentina/epidemiología , Masculino , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Niño , Preescolar , Prevalencia , Lactante , Anemia/epidemiología , Anemia/parasitología , Adolescente , Factores Socioeconómicos , Indígenas Sudamericanos/estadística & datos numéricos , Heces/parasitología , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To assess the current prevalences of nutritional status and intestinal parasites, and their potential association with socio-environmental conditions among schoolchildren in Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones. METHODS: We measured body weight and height in 444 schoolchildren aged 3-14 years and evaluated their nutritional status following WHO criteria. We examined fecal samples and anal swabs from 234 schoolchildren and collected socio-environmental data through questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition was 4.5% and excess of weight was 24.1%. The prevalence of stunting and of being overweight reached 2.3% and 12.4%, respectively. About 42% of the schoolchildren were infected with at least one of the 12 species identified. The most prevalent species were Blastocystis sp., Enterobius vermicularis, and Giardia lamblia. Entamoeba dispar was recorded for the first time in the locality. The multiple correspondence analysis identified peri-urban, urban, and rural groups. Underweight, stunting and obesity were highest in the peri-urban group, while overweight, wasting and parasitism rates were highest in the rural group. The urban group showed the lowest parasitic prevalences. Bed-sharing, mother's education, and animal husbandry were associated with parasitic infections. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a decrease in undernutrition but a rise in overweight and obesity, indicating an ongoing nutritional transition. The association between socio-environmental risk factors and parasitic infections underscore the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both nutritional and socio-environmental conditions to improve the population's life quality.
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Parasitosis Intestinales , Desnutrición , Humanos , Niño , Prevalencia , Adolescente , Femenino , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Preescolar , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Desnutrición/epidemiología , Argentina/epidemiología , Estado Nutricional , Estudios TransversalesRESUMEN
The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and genes associated with resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in Australian Merino sheep in Uruguay, using the single-step GWAS methodology (ssGWAS), which is based on genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) obtained from a combination of pedigree, genomic, and phenotypic data. This methodology converts GEBVs into SNP effects. The analysis included 26,638 animals with fecal egg count (FEC) records obtained in two independent parasitic cycles (FEC1 and FEC2) and 1700 50K SNP genotypes. The comparison of genomic regions was based on genetic variances (gVar(%)) explained by non-overlapping regions of 20 SNPs. For FEC1 and FEC2, 18 and 22 genomic windows exceeded the significance threshold (gVar(%) ≥ 0.22%), respectively. The genomic regions with strong associations with FEC1 were located on chromosomes OAR 2, 6, 11, 21, and 25, and for FEC2 on OAR 5, 6, and 11. The proportion of genetic variance attributed to the top windows was 0.83% and 1.9% for FEC1 and FEC2, respectively. The 33 candidate genes shared between the two traits were subjected to enrichment analysis, revealing a marked enrichment in biological processes related to immune system functions. These results contribute to the understanding of the genetics underlying gastrointestinal parasite resistance and its implications for other productive and welfare traits in animal breeding programs.
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Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Enfermedades de las Ovejas , Animales , Ovinos/parasitología , Ovinos/genética , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/genética , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Resistencia a la Enfermedad/genética , Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Infecciones por Nematodos/genética , Infecciones por Nematodos/veterinaria , Infecciones por Nematodos/parasitología , Australia , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/genética , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Parasites are ubiquitous in wildlife populations and have a profound impact on population dynamics. Interest in parasites of wildlife has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in those with relevant conservation status. Patagonia is one of the wildest and remote areas of the world. The Wolffsohn's viscacha lives in a small mountainous area of Patagonia. Until now, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species. The aim of this research was to study the gastrointestinal parasite diversity in this rodent from a coprological survey. A total of 125 fecal samples from 25 colonies were examined. Each sample was rehydrated, homogenized, and analyzed using three parasitological techniques: spontaneous sedimentation, Mini-FLOTAC, and centrifugation-flotation in sucrose-saturated solution, followed by examination under optical microscopy. The samples, eggs, and oocysts of parasites were described, measured, and photographed. All colonies were positive for at least one parasite species. A total of 10 parasitic species were identified: Viscachataenia sp., possibly V. quadrata, Monoecocestus sp., an unidentified anoplocephalid, Heteroxynema sp., possibly H. (Cavioxyura) viscaciae, Helminthoxys sp., possibly H. effilatus, an unidentified strongylid-type egg, Trichuris sp., two morphologies of unidentified coccidians and Eimeria sp. This is the first exhaustive study of gastrointestinal parasites in L. wolffsohni and a large number of eggs and oocysts of parasites were found. Our results highlight the use of noninvasive techniques for the study of parasites of wildlife hosts; as in the case of this rodent with a remote habitat, which makes sampling difficult. The results of our study provide baseline information on gastrointestinal parasite infections in this species.
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Heces , Animales , Heces/parasitología , Argentina , Roedores/parasitología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Roedores/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Roedores/epidemiología , Parásitos/aislamiento & purificación , Parásitos/clasificación , Microscopía , Tracto Gastrointestinal/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Biomarkers are specific molecular, histological, or physiological characteristics of normal or pathogenic biological processes and are promising in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Although some biomarkers have been validated for infection by Ostertagia sp. in cattle raised in temperate regions, there is a lack of information for tropical regions. The aim of this project was to assess potential biomarkers and validate the most promising. In the first study, 36 bovines (Nelore breed) naturally infected by GINs were distributed into two groups: infected (not treated with anthelmintic) and treated (treated with fenbendazole on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56). The variables of interest were live weight, fecal egg count, hemogram, serum biochemical markers, phosphorus, gastrin, and pepsinogen. In the second step, pepsinogen was assessed in cattle of the Nelore breed distributed among three groups: infected (not treated with anthelmintic), MOX (treated with moxidectin), and IVM + BZD (treated with ivermectin + albendazole). In the first study, no difference between groups was found for weight, albumin, hematocrit (corpuscular volume [CV]), erythrocytes, or hemoglobin. Negative correlations were found between pepsinogen and both CV and albumin, and albumin was negatively correlated with the percentage of Haemonchus sp. in the fecal culture. Among the biomarkers, only pepsinogen differentiated treated and infected (beginning with the 28th day of the study). In the second study, a reduction in pepsinogen was found after anthelmintic treatment. Therefore, pepsinogen is a promising biomarker of worms in cattle naturally infected by the genera Haemonchus and Cooperia in tropical areas.
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Biomarcadores , Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Heces , Infecciones por Nematodos , Clima Tropical , Animales , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/tratamiento farmacológico , Biomarcadores/sangre , Infecciones por Nematodos/veterinaria , Infecciones por Nematodos/parasitología , Infecciones por Nematodos/tratamiento farmacológico , Heces/parasitología , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos , Antihelmínticos/uso terapéutico , Nematodos/aislamiento & purificación , Nematodos/clasificación , Nematodos/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/parasitología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Fenbendazol/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
A total of 32 taxa of helminths were recovered from 52 individuals corresponding to 17 species of didelphiomorph marsupials collected across Bolivia. From these, 20 taxa are registered for the first time in this landlocked South American country, including the cestode Mathevotaenia bivittata, and the nematodes Moennigia sp., Travassostrongylus callis, Viannaia didelphis, V. hamata, V. metachirops, V. minispicula, V. philanderi, V. simplicispicula, V. skrjabini, V. viannai, Cruzia tentaculata, Monodelphoxyuris dollmeiri, Neohilgertia venusti, Pterygodermatites elegans, Pterygodermatites jeagerskioldi, Spirura guianensis, Gongylonemoides marsupialis, Turgida turgida and Trichuris reesali. We report for the first time parasites for Marmosops bishopi, Monodelphis emiliae, Monodeplhis glirina, Monodelphis sanctarosae, Monodelphis peruviana and Thylamys sponsorius and document 38 new records of parasites infecting marsupials. Twenty-six taxa of helminths infect 2 or more species of didelphiomorph marsupials, with the exception of Travassostrongylus callis, Viannaia didelphis, V. hamata, V. minispicula and V. hamate, which infected individuals of a single species.
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Helmintiasis Animal , Helmintos , Animales , Bolivia/epidemiología , Helmintiasis Animal/parasitología , Helmintiasis Animal/epidemiología , Helmintos/clasificación , Helmintos/aislamiento & purificación , Zarigüeyas/parasitología , Masculino , Femenino , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
AIMS: Protozoan and helminth parasitic infections pose significant public health challenges, especially in developing countries with rural populations marked by suboptimal hygiene practices and socio-economic constraints. The parasites are the etiological agents of these infections and have a notably elevated global prevalence. Therefore, this study focuses on estimating the frequency and transmission dynamics of several parasitic species, including Blastocystis, Giardia, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia spp. and hookworms, within a rural community in southwest Colombia with a particular emphasis on the One Health framework, considering environmental and zoonotic transmission potentials. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study involved the analysis of 125 samples, encompassing human participants (n = 99), their domestic pets (dogs) (n = 24) and water sources (n = 2). Parasite detection was carried out utilizing a combination of microscopy and molecular techniques. Furthermore, the characterization of Blastocystis subtypes (STs) was achieved through Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the rRNA-18S gene. The investigation also entailed the examination of potential associations between intestinal parasitism and various sociodemographic factors. Results revealed a high frequency of parasitic infections when employing molecular methods, with Blastocystis (n = 109/87%), Giardia (n = 20/16%), Ancylostoma duodenale (n = 28/22%), Ancylostoma ceylanicum (n = 7/5.6%), E. histolytica (n = 6/4.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (n = 12/9.6%) and even Taenia (n = 1/0.8%) detected. Cryptosporidium spp. was also identified in water samples. Coinfections were prevalent, with 57% (n = 70) of samples exhibiting single-parasite infections and 43% (n = 53) showing various degrees of polyparasitism, emphasizing the complexity of transmission dynamics. Blastocystis subtyping, conducted via Oxford Nanopore sequencing, revealed a diversity of subtypes and coexistence patterns, with ST2 being the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: This research underscores the importance of using molecular techniques for frequency estimation, particularly emphasizing the relevance of zoonotic transmission in parasitic infections. It highlights the significance of the One Health approach in comprehending the circulation of parasites among animals, humans and environmental sources, thereby directly impacting public health and epidemiological surveillance.
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Parasitosis Intestinales , Salud Única , Población Rural , Zoonosis , Colombia/epidemiología , Humanos , Animales , Zoonosis/transmisión , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/transmisión , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Masculino , Adulto , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adolescente , Niño , Adulto Joven , Preescolar , Heces/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Horse welfare assessment (HWA) does not account for individual or herd parasite infection. This study investigated the connection between HWA and individual parasite fecal egg count (FEC) in 90 Thoroughbred horses. All horses were naturally infected with gastrointestinal parasites and were evaluated for individual welfare indicators and FEC monthly, for 12 months. Horses were divided into three groups of 30 mares, 30 foals aged between 13 and 16 months (G2013), and 30 foals aged between two months and one year (G2014). A horse welfare protocol was developed and 1024 assessments were carried out by five trained assessors. FEC ranged from 0 to 5,760 with 98.8 % showing small strongyle eggs. Body condition scores were ideal in 94.4 % of the evaluations (n = 967), and 95.8 % of all horses had good clinical and behavioral indicators. Despite the variation in FEC, the data found no significant association between FEC and the behavioral indicators. The study suggests that FEC alone should not be used as a determinant of welfare when animals are managed with good nutritional and health management practices.
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Bienestar del Animal , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Animales , Caballos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Femenino , Heces/parasitología , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Masculino , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Interacciones Huésped-ParásitosRESUMEN
Gastrointestinal protist (GP) and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections cause significant morbidity among children in poor-resource settings of tropical and sub-tropical countries including Colombia. Few prospective transversal studies investigating how GP and STH infections affect growth development and nutritional status during childhood have been conducted in this country, none of them in the Antioquia Department. This microscopy-based study estimated the prevalence of GP and helminth (including STH) infections in faecal samples from schoolchildren (n = 384) collected during April-May 2019 in three municipalities of the Antioquia Department. Demographic, epidemiological, and household data were elicited through face-to-face interviews. Parasite detection was carried out by direct microscopic examination of both fresh smears and concentrated faecal material. Children (aged 6-15 years) also had their haemoglobin (Hb) levels, height and weight data collected, and BMI estimated. Data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Overall, 60.7 % (233/384) of schoolchildren were infected by at least one intestinal parasitic species. Among GPs, Blastocystis sp. was the most common species found (47.7 %, 95 % CI: 42.6-52.8), followed by G. duodenalis (15.9 %, 95 % CI: 12.4-19.9). Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis were sporadically identified (0.3 %, 95 % CI: 0.1-1.4 each). Among helminths, the most prevalent species found were Trichuris trichiura (6.0 %, 95 % CI: 3.8-8.9) and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0 %, 95 % CI: 0.3-2.6). Hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides stercoralis were found at prevalence rates <1 %. Underweight, overweigh, or obese schoolchildren had 1.2 times greater chance of being infected with intestinal parasites than their counterparts with a healthy weight (P-value: 0.015). Variables significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being infected by intestinal parasites include living in a household with unfinished flouring, not wearing shoes, being in close proximity to rodents, and having improper waste disposal. Relatively simple interventional measures directed towards the improvement of household conditions, access to sanitary toilets, and promoting shoe wearing can significantly reduce childhood infections by GP and helminths in the Antioquia Department.
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Criptosporidiosis , Cryptosporidium , Helmintiasis , Helmintos , Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Humanos , Niño , Animales , Estado Nutricional , Colombia/epidemiología , Estudios Prospectivos , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Helmintiasis/epidemiología , Helmintiasis/parasitología , Suelo/parasitología , Heces/parasitología , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
Intestinal parasites are widely distributed around the world and children are the most common affected group. The prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors by a cross-sectional study among children at a primary school in the Union de Reyes municipality, Matanzas province, Cuba, was carried out during April-May, 2022. Blastocystis spp. and Giardia intestinalis were the most common parasites found.
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Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Niño , Animales , Humanos , Prevalencia , Cuba/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Factores de Riesgo , Heces/parasitologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: to assess Popular Health Education practices on intestinal parasites, carried out by telephone contact with men living in urban communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the COVID-19 syndemic. METHOD: a quasi-experimental, quantitative and descriptive study, carried out with men aged 20 to 59 years. Pre-test was applied, and participants were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Popular Education in Health practices were carried out with an experimental group, and post-test was applied for both. RESULTS: health education practices were significant in the experimental group, with a reduction in incorrect answers. There was an increase in incorrect answers in the control group's post-test. CONCLUSIONS: the Brazilian National Policy for Popular Education in Health contributed to qualify men's health literacy on intestinal parasites. Practice by telephone contact proved to be a powerful strategy for nursing and public policies to access this group and promote health in Primary Health Care.
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Alfabetización en Salud , Parasitosis Intestinales , Masculino , Humanos , Promoción de la Salud , Sindémico , Brasil , Pobreza , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitologíaRESUMEN
We investigated the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs in rural areas of the municipality of Painel, Santa Catarina, Brazil. For this, 91 canine feces samples were collected from 82 farms between August, 2017 and January, 2018. These fecal materials were processed using the techniques of spontaneous sedimentation, centrifugation-floatation in zinc sulfate and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. A questionnaire in the form of an interview was administered to the dogs' owner and information about the farm and the main care provided for the dogs was obtained. Among 91 sampled dogs, 27 (29.7%) were positive for at least one parasite species. Ancylostoma was the most prevalent genus (16.5%), followed by Giardia duodenalis (14.3%), Trichuris vulpis (6.6%), Toxocara canis (5.5%), Entamoeba spp. (4.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.3%) and Taeniidae (1.1%). Most dogs do not receive veterinarian care and rarely received antiparasitic treatment. They were free to roam and had free access to animal remains and garbage, which was reflected in the significant associations with the occurrence of parasites that were found. We conclude that rural dogs harbor gastrointestinal parasites, but that their owners are unaware of the risks that these parasites can bring to human health.
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Criptosporidiosis , Cryptosporidium , Enfermedades de los Perros , Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Animales , Perros , Humanos , Criptosporidiosis/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Prevalencia , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Heces/parasitologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in human remains from Late Antiquity (5th - 7th c.) Granada (Spain). MATERIALS: The study included pelvic and cranial control samples from 17 skeletons from the archaeological sites of Los Mondragones (n = 13) and Rafael Guillén (n = 4). METHODS: In the paleoparasitological study, soil samples from pelvic area and cranium were analyzed using the rehydration, homogenization, and micro-sieving method and visualization under brightfield microscopy. RESULTS: Ascaris sp. eggs were detected in pelvic samples from seven individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may indicate that this parasite was endemic. Its detection frequency is one of the highest reported at group level in an osteological series from Late Antiquity. SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of Ascaris sp. associated with skeletal remains has implications for assessing the lifestyle and health of populations in southern Spain during the Late Antique period. LIMITATIONS: The number of individuals is small and taphonomic processes could have limited paleoparasitological findings SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future interdisciplinary studies of this type are warranted in larger osteological series to improve knowledge of parasitosis in the past.
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Ascaris , Parasitosis Intestinales , Animales , Humanos , España/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , ArqueologíaRESUMEN
In Mexico, intensive production of bullfrogs is one of the most important aquaculture activities, due to growing demand for their meat. Frogs can be hosts for several parasites that negatively affect their development and health. The objective of this study was to identify the presence of intestinal parasites in bullfrogs in aquaculture production units. Eighteen bullfrogs aquaculture production units were selected, and 20 animals (n=360) from each farm. Fecal samples were obtained by mucosal scraping and processed using the concentration method. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 70.5%, and all farms had frogs infected by some species of parasite. Two species of parasites were identified: Eimeria sp. and Strongyloides sp. Significant differences were found regarding parasite prevalence between males and females (73.8% vs 58.8%) and regarding tibia length (5.5 vs 6.1 cm) and weight (168 vs 187 g) between parasitized and non-parasitized frogs. In conclusion, the present study showed a high prevalence of intestinal parasites, and morphometric alterations (weight, snout-cloaca length, radio-ulna length, tibia length and distance between parotid glands) were identified in the parasitized animals. These results provided useful information that will enable establishment of adequate control measures to help minimize the adverse effects of these parasites.
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Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Masculino , Femenino , Animales , Rana catesbeiana/parasitología , México/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , AcuiculturaRESUMEN
Aim: Ova and parasite examination by flotation requires hypertonic solutions, which can damage the egg and cyst membranes, leading to false negatives. The authors investigated the harmful effects of ZnSO4 and C12H22O11 solutions on the ova and parasite examination. Materials & methods: The authors processed samples using the Three Fecal Test technique. Aliquots were floated in different pH levels, temperatures and solution densities. Results: Densities above 1.12 g/ml led structures to collapse after 6-10 min. pH neutralization of the ZnSO4 solution did not prevent the parasites from changing. Conclusion: All structures were altered when standard methods were performed. To delay collapse, the parasite floating under 5 °C is highly desirable.
Fecal exams require solutions that can damage the intestinal parasite's shape. This is bad for diagnosis. The authors investigated the harmful effects of these solutions on fecal exams. The authors processed samples using a technique called the Three Fecal Test. Fecal samples were floated in different conditions, including neutral and acidic solutions, high and low temperatures and varying densities of chemical solutions. Densities above 1.12 g/ml altered the structures of parasites. Neutral solutions did not prevent the structures from changing. The structures of all parasites were altered when the usual techniques were performed. Thus, the techniques for diagnosing intestinal parasites in feces must be improved. Temperatures under 5 °C are the best for preventing the destruction of parasite membranes.
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Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Animales , Humanos , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/métodos , Parasitosis Intestinales/diagnóstico , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Intestinos , Soluciones Hipertónicas , HecesRESUMEN
Diarrheal diseases are one of the main health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries with poor health systems, high rates of poverty, and poor nutrition. The main causative agents of diarrheal disease are bacteria, viruses, and parasites; among the latter, the intestinal protozoa Giardia and Entamoeba stand out. In the present work, a observational analysis of the national surveillance data of amebiasis, giardiasis, and other protozoan intestinal infections was carried out. The data issued by the Directorate General of Epidemiology was analyzed to establish its relationship with geography, socioeconomic, and environmental conditions in Mexico during the 2015-2019 period. New cases of amebiasis decreased by 25.03% between 2015 and 2019, while giardiasis and other protozoan intestinal infections remained constant; in all cases, incidence was higher in females than in males, and children under 5 years of age were the most affected. The contribution of environmental conditions (seasonality, temperature, and humidity) and socioeconomic factors in the number of protozoan intestinal infection cases was assessed by a multivariable regression model using a backward selection procedure. Peaks in cases were observed in spring and summer, which are characterized by warm and humid climates. Additionally, states with high humidity and annual average temperature contribute to a notably higher incidence of these parasites, especially annual average temperature, as demonstrated through multivariable linear regression models. Moreover, the majority of these states have the largest population living in poverty with inadequate measures for the distribution, dispensing, and sanitation of water. These data are essential to incidence rate monitoring and focus efforts on eliminating risk factors and improving health programs in Mexico.