An Epidemiological and Diagnostic Study of Cyclospora Cayetanensis Parasite in Anbar Province - Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in humans, animals, and vegetables in Anbar province-Iraq. The parasite was diagnosed by examining the samples microscopically, by examining 560 stool samples (262 males and 298 females) that were collected from patients attending hospitals (Ramadi, Fallujah, and Haditha), and its health centers. The results showed that the total infection rate was 12.1%, and no significant difference was recorded between the infection of both sexes. The highest rate of infection was 25.8% in the age group (1-9) years, with significant differences (P ≤0.05) from the rest of the age groups. The infection rate in the rural was 14.5% higher than in the urban 8.4%. The highest rate was recorded at 41.5% in April and the lowest at 2.5% in November, while the summer months did not record any infections. The study also included an examination of 188 samples of animal feces (48 sheep, 50 cows, 47 goats, and 43 dogs), the parasite was not diagnosed in any of the examined animals. This is the first study in the country to investigate the parasite in goats. The study also included the investigation of the C. cayetanensis parasite in five types of vegetable leaves (garden cress, radish, leek, green onions, and purslane). Where it is observed the presence of Oocyst in vegetables washing water by a percentage (6, 7.8, 7.2, 4.4, and 3.2) Oocyst/liter respectively.

Cyclospora cayetanensis: A Perspective (2020–2023) with Emphasis on Epidemiology and Detection Methods

“…Similar prevalence (2.7%; 4/150) was observed in Ghana in samples collected from asymptomatic children under 5 years using microscopy [ 36 ]. In Iraq, the highest rate of infection was observed in children 1–9 years of age (25.8%; 29/112), which was significantly higher than rates observed in other age groups: 10–19 (21.8%; 21/96), 20–29 (16.6%; 12/72), 30–39 (1.0%; 1/93), 40–49 (3.6%;1/83), 50–59 (1.4%; 1/71), and 60–69 (3.0%; 1/33) [ 33 ]. However, in Thailand, C. cayetanensis was not observed using molecular detection in any of the 254 stool samples collected from school children in Ratchaburi Province at the Thailand–Myanmar border [ 37 ].…”

“…In China, low prevalence of cyclosporiasis (0.2%, 13/5341) was observed among patients with diarrheal illnesses under surveillance at hospitals in Shanghai Municipality, Zhenjiang City, and Danyang City [ 30 ] and at Ningbo in Southeast China (0.61%, 3/489) [ 31 ], while a higher prevalence (10.0%; 5/50) was reported in a study in Yongfu country, also in Southeast China, that included the examination of samples obtained from facility workers in a laboratory animal facility with macaques (16.0%; 4/25) as well as from villagers nearby (4.0%; 1/25) [ 32 ]. In Iraq, a high prevalence of Cyclospora (12.1%; 68/560) was reported in patients attending hospitals and health centers in three cities, with rates of infection higher in the rural areas (14.5%) compared to the urban areas (8.4%) [ 33 ], while in another study in this country, which included patients attending outpatient clinics at two different hospitals in the capital Baghdad, C. cayetanensis was detected in 2.8% (1/229) of the examined patients in one hospital and <1.0% (1/271) in the second hospital [ 34 ].…”

“…The link of cyclosporiasis with poverty carries relevant implications for targeted public health interventions in resource-poor cohorts. The high prevalence observed in a study in Iraq was attributed to the deterioration of the health and service conditions as well as the lack of clean drinking water, due to the war in the previous three years [ 33 ].…”

“…Seasonality is observed on other continents as well. Among patients attending health centers in three cities in Iraq, the highest rate of infection was recorded at 41.5% in April and the lowest at 2.5% in November; no infections were recorded during the summer [ 33 ].…”

Effect of Alcoholic Extract of the Plant Conyza bonariensis on the Parasite Hymenolepis nana in Albino Mice Infected with it Experimentally

“…The adult worms are laid in the cecum in different and large numbers that may reach 3000-4000 dwarf tapeworms. Because of these large numbers, irritation of the intestine occurs with congestion in the mucous membranes, leading to lymphatic infiltration, small ulcers, and bleeding, the worms may migrate into the bile ducts and cause inflammation [6]. Research has tended at present to use herbs and medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases, including parasitic diseases because they contain many effective compounds such as flavones, titanates, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, volatile oils, and others [7].…”