Status of intestinal parasitic infections among rural and urban populations, southwestern Iran

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the urban and rural areas of Shushtar County,southwest Iran.Methods: A total of 1 008 fecal samples were analyzed by direct smear examination,formalinether concentration,and Ziehl-Neelsen and trichrome staining; furthermore,PCR was used to distinguish Trichostrongylus and hookworm species based on 28 S rRNA gene.Results: Totally,16.0% cases tested positive,either with a pathogenic or a non-pathogenic parasite. Protozoa were detected in 14.0%,helminths in 1.0%,protozoa and helminth coinfections were detected in 0.3%,and co-infections of two protozoa were detected in 0.7% of cases. The most common protozoa and helminths were Giardia duodenalis(7.7%) and Trichostrongylus spp.(0.5%),respectively. Among five microscopy Trichostrongylus positive cases,Trichostrongylus culbriformis was successfully identified in three isolates by sequencing. In the rural areas,the prevalence of parasitic infection was higher(9.8%) than that in the urban areas(6.2%). A significant association was found between educational level,type of drinking water,animals contact,hand-washing,and clinical symptoms. Conclusions: This study indicates that intestinal parasitic infections remain as a public health priority in Shushtar County. It seems that drinking water and environmental sanitation are the main risk factors of parasitic infections in rural areas.

Efficacy of combined albendazol and praziquntel and their loaded solid lipid nanoparticles components in chemoprophylaxis of experimental hydatidosis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of combined ABZ and PZQ and their solid lipid nanoparticles in chemoprophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis(CE).Methods:ABZ and PZQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles(SLNs) were prepared by high shear homogenization and microemulsion congealing techniques with some minor modification.Nanoparticles average size,polydispersity index(PDI),and particle size distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy.Forty females BALB/c were experimentally infected by protoscoleces(PSC) and randomly divided into four equal groups of 10 mice.After the end of the 3 months treatment period and 2 months rest,mice were sacrificed and the peritoneal cavity was opened for removal,counting,measuring,and histological analysis of hydatid cyst.Results:The results indicated that ABZ and PZQ chemoprophylaxis treatment reduced the wet weight and size of developed cysts 77.3% and 79%,respectively.The corresponding result for the ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs was 83% and 85%,respectively.Conclusions:This study for the first time demonstrated that ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs is superior to free ABZ and PZQ for the chemoprophylaxis of CE in mice.

Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in paraffin-embedded human tissues from Southwest Iran

Objective:To investigate Echinococcus(E.)granulosus genotypes as the causative agents of hydatidosis in humans in the southwest of Iran(Khuzestan province).Methods:In this study,isolates of 80 archived human paraffin embedded hydatid cysts were collected from pathology laboratories in Ahvaz city,Khuzestan province.DNA was extracted and examined by nested-PCR of ribosomal DNA(rDNA)internal transcribed spacer 1(ITS1),and PCR-RFLP.In addition,the sequences of fragments of genes coding for Cox space1 and NADH dehydrogenase 1(ND1)were also examined.Results:Of the 80 paraffin samples,44(55.0%)were from the liver,27(33.8%)from the lung,and the rest from other organs.The amplified hydatid genomic DNA showed that the cysts were E.granulosus strains.The results of PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis revealed the presence of G1 genotype(sheep strain)in all human isolates.Furthermore,no camel strain(G6)was detected among all samples in the regions studied.Conclusions:The molecular findings indicate that the predominant genotype involved in E.granulosus transmission in southwest of Iran is the common sheep strain(G1),which occurs in human populations.These results may have important implications for hydatid disease control in the studied areas.