Prevalence and genotype distribution of Enterobius vermicularis among kindergarteners in Shiraz and Khorramabad cities, Iran

Objective: To study the prevalence and genotype of Enterobius (E.) vermicularis from adhesive tape samples in the cities of Shiraz and Khorramabad, Iran. Methods: A total of 1 000 adhesive tape samples from kindergartens in Shiraz (500 samples) and Khorramabad (500 samples) were collected and tested using a microscope to find E. vermicularis egg/s. A questionnaire was filled out for each sample. In order to characterize the genotype of E. vermicularis, the PCR-sequencing method of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was used. Genomic DNA was extracted from the positive scotch tape samples of E. vermicularis. The cox1 gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. The sequence data were aligned using the BioEdit software and compared with the published sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method. Results: The parasitological method showed that 15 out of the 500 samples from Shiraz (3.00%) and 12 out of the 500 samples from Khorramabad (2.40%) were infected with E. vermicularis eggs. BLAST analysis indicated that the sequenced isolates belonged to E. vermicularis genotype B while three different haplotypes were also identified. Conclusions: This is the first study on genotyping E. vermicularis in the cities of Shiraz and Khorramabad. Considering the public health importance of the disease, further studies are necessary to characterize the genotype of E. vermicularis in human populations from other regions of Iran.

[Application of superior enzymatic systems for characterization of causative agents of visceral leishmaniasis [kala-azar] in Iran using isoenzyme electrophoresis]

Visceral leishmaniasis [Kala-azar] is one of the parasitic zoonotic diseases which is caused by Leishmania donovani complex parasites. Thus, the aim of this study is the application of different enzymatic systems for discrimination species and strains visceral leishmaniasis agent. In this experimental study, reference strains of Leishmania infatum, Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica in addition, the leishmania parasites isolated from bone marrow of subjects and internal organs of dogs infected to visceral leishmaiasis [VL] were inoculated on RPMI + FBS 10% medium for mass cultivation. Then, using electrophoresis on polyacrilamid gel, six enzymatic systems including GPI, PGM, MDH, G6PD, 6PGD and NH2 were examined in order that identification of species and strains of the isolates and thus finding the appropriate enzymatic systems for discrimination of these compared with reference strains. Isoenzymatic profile of six enzymatic systems mentioned above for these isolates were compared with reference strains and also relative migration were calculated. Finally, the results were showed that only five enzymatic systems, except 6PGD, had discriminated ability of different species. In the present study, GPI and G6PD enzymes had the most heterogeneity while NH2 enzyme had the most homogeneity. Moreover, PGM, GPI and MDH were highly active enzymes

Comparison of serological methods [ELISA, DAT and IFA] for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis utilizing an endemic strain

The causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis [VL] in Iran is Leishmania infantum [L. infantum] [Mediterranean type] and its major reservoir host is the dog. To compare the serological methods including direct agglutination test [DAT], indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test [IFA] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for serodiagnosis of endemic strain of L. infantum. 61 blood samples from VL patients referred to Shiraz hospitals and 49 blood samples from control group were collected. Native strain of the parasite isolated from a VL patient from the region was cultured and characterized. Antigens from this L. infantum parasite were used in ELISA and IFA system. Anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 43 [70.5%], 49 [80.3%] and 51 [83.6%] cases using DAT, IFA and ELISA, respectively. Based on these results, sensitivity and specificity of DAT was found to be 70.5% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivities of IFA and ELISA in diagnosis of VL were 80.3% and 83.6% and their specificity was 90.5%. Results of this study showed that DAT and ELISA have the highest specificity and sensitivity in diagnosis of VL. DAT is a simple, cost-effective and field applicable test. Thus, it can be recommended for early and accurate diagnosis of VL, especially in regions where malaria, brucellosis and tuberculosis are prevalent