Background:Intestinal parasitic infections, particularly in the rural areas, are one of the most important indices of the hygiene status and sanitation level of the society. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the intestinal parasitic infections among rural inhabitant of Hamadan City, Iran, 2012. Patients and Methods: A total of 228 fecal samples were collected from 50 families in seven villages that were directly and indirectly involved in raising livestock and other domestic animals in spring of 2012. The demographic data were collected by interview and included age, sex, educational level, place of keeping animals, direct or indirect contact with animals, and occupation. Fecal samples were concentrated using formol-ether sedimentation technique and examined by iodine-stained wet mount method. Indistinguishable samples were assessed by trichrome staining method. Results: Among 228 samples, 80 (35.1%) were diagnosed with parasitic infection, which separately included 43 cases of Entamoeba coli (18.9%), 32 Blastocystis hominis (14%), 16 Endolimax nana (7%), nine Iodamoeba butschlii (3.9%), five Giardia lamblia (2.2%), two Taenia species (0.9%), two Hymenolepis nana (0.9%), one Chilomastix mesnili (0.4%), one Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), and one Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0.4%). No significant difference in infection rate was observed with regard to indirect or direct contact with livestock. Coinfection of E. coli and B. hominis, E. coli and I. butschlii, and E. nana and G. lamblia were statistically significant. Interestingly, no Ascaris lumbricoides ovum was seen in this population. Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of some infections with intestinal parasites is high in the Hamadan City. Considering that most of the parasites are nonpathogenic, pathogenic ones have been reduced generally in comparison to the previous reports. Nevertheless, the existence of Taenia species and H. nana could not be ignored.
Although none of the 158 dissected female Phlebotomus kandelaki and Phlebotomus papatasi were infected with leishmania promastigote, it is probable that in the future, factors such as environmental changes, migration and urbanization can ease the transmission of leishmaniases in this area.
Background: Leishmaniases are important diseases in many parts of the world, which are transmitted by bites of sand flies. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating some ecological aspects of sand flies in Hamadan. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, sand flies were collected weekly by sticky traps. Results: For this study, 3305 sand flies were collected and identified during 2013. Sand flies active season began from May till October in Hamadan. The greatest activity occurring between 08:00 pm till 12:00 pm. Conclusions: In order to avoid the possible transmission of diseases and reduction of harassments of sand flies, especially in the period of greatest activity, personal protection is recommended.
Background:Fecal antigen detection using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and oocyst detection using auramine phenol (AP) staining methods, are told to be more sensitive compared to other conventional methods, for diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis.Objectives:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antigen-detection capacity in the stool specimens using ELISA and oocyst detection by AP staining methods, for the diagnosis of human cryptosporidiosis.Materials and Methods:A total of 228 fecal samples were collected from residents of rural areas of Hamadan, West of Iran. Each fecal sample was divided into two parts, one kept frozen at -20˚C for Ag-capture ELISA and the other in 10% formalin for the AP staining method. Cryptosporidium Ag-detection ELISA procedure was performed according to the manual of the manufacturer. The preserved samples concentrated using the formalin-ether concentration technique were stained with AP and then investigated under florescent microscopy.Results:Eight (3.5%) and three (1.3%) out of 228 fecal samples were positive for Cryptosporidium infection by ELISA and AP staining methods, respectively. Cryptosporidium Ag-detection using ELISA showed an increased frequency of the infection, compared to the AP staining method (P = 0.062).Conclusions:For epidemiological studies and diagnostic purposes of the Cryptosporidium infection, especially in asymptomatic individuals, Ag-detection ELISA is an easy to perform and accurate method, compared to other conventional microscopic methods.
Background:Insects are able to recognize many pathogenic microorganisms and defend against them due to their long evolutionary history. Due to the development of resistance to synthetic antibiotics, researchers are trying to apply insect immune-derived products. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effect of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) hemolymph on susceptible and resistant strains of nosocomial bacteria. Materials and Methods: To stimulate adult cockroaches' immune system, Escherichia coli cells were injected. The antimicrobial effect of the extracted induced and non-induced hemolymph was assayed on many susceptible and resistant pathogenic bacteria. Results: The comparison of antimicrobial effects of the induced and non-induced hemolymph strains showed that about 43% of bacteria were sensitive to induced hemolymph (P < 0.001), whereas non-induced hemolymph showed no inhibitory effect on the bacteria. Also, evaluation of induced hemolymph effect on the types of strains showed that induced hemolymph affected about 75% of the susceptible bacterial strains (P < 0.001); whereas, it did not affect the resistant strains. Among the tested bacteria, ceftazidime-sensitive E. coli and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus showed sensitivity to the induced hemolymph (P < 0.001). Conclusions:The study results showed that stimulation of the American cockroach's immunity system lead to production of antibacterial proteins and peptides which had inhibitory effect on the bacteria, depending on the bacterial strains and their sensitivity. Likely this feature of insects can be used as therapeutic strategies to produce natural antimicrobial compounds against the pathogenic bacteria.
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