ABSTRACT
The present study was performed in order to differentiate E. histolytica and E. dispar in children from Gorgan city, using a PCR method. Differential detection of two morphologically indistinguishable protozoan parasites Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar has a great clinical and epidemiological importance because of potential invasive pathogenic E. histolytica and non-invasive parasite E. dispar. One hundred and five dysentery samples were collected from children hospitalized in Taleghani hospital in Gorgan city. The fecal specimens were examined by light microscopy [10X then 40X] to distinguish Entamoeba complex. A single round PCR amplifying partial small-subunit rRNA gene was performed on positive microscopy samples to differentiate E. histolytica/ E. dispar and E.moshkovskii from each other. Twenty-five specimens [23.8%] were positive for Enramoeba complex in direct microscopic examination. PCR using positive controls indicated E. histolytica and E. dispar in two [2/25, 8%] and three [3/25, 12%] samples, respectively. There is a warrant to performing molecular diagnosis for stool examination at least in hospitalized children in order to prevent incorrect reports from laboratories and consequently mistreating by physicians
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to investigate molecular diversity of Echinococcus gmnulosus isolates collected from human clinical samples using two mitochondrial genes cox1 and nod1 in Iran. Forty seven human hydatid cysts were collected through surgery from two hospitals in Tehran during 2010-2012. To determine the fertility of protoscoleces, the cyst fluids were subjected to morphological microscopic examinations. Protoscoleces were removed from each cyst and their total genomic DNAs were extracted. PCR was performed to amplify fragments of 450 and 400 base pair [bp] for cox1 and nod1 genes, respectively. Genotype diversity and sequence variation of the strains were studied by bioinformatics software and in comparison with those mtDNA sequences already dposited in GenBank. Sixteen, [53.3%], 13 [43.3%], and 1 [3.3%] samples were related to lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. The remained 17 unfertile samples were excluded from the study. From the 29 isolates, 86.7% [n=26] and 10% [n=3] were related to G1, and G3 genotypes, respectively. The sole isolate with G6 genotype was obtained from lung sample. Analysis of concatenated sequences of cox1+nad1 indicated the presence of 11 haplotypes among our strains that were related to genotypes G1 [n=9], G3 [n=1] and G6 [n=1]. In consistent to other reports from Iran, genotypes G1, G3, and G6 were observed in our human isolates. The rate of G3 genotype was however higher than other studies implying that human can be considered as a new appropriate host for G3 genotype. Further studies with more sample size from different geographic areas of Iran are needed for E. granulosus mapping
ABSTRACT
Babesia is a blood-tissue parasite, which is transmitted by hard ticks from Ixodidae family. The parasite is the cause of babesiosis among small ruminants, cattle, human, dogs and other animals. Babesia is one of the main fatal factors among livestock in endemic regions such as Iran. The aim of this study was to identify Babesia spp infection using microscopic and molecular methods among small ruminants in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, northern Iran, during 2011-2012. In this study, a total of 220 sheep and goats were selected from 22 flocks in different regions of these provinces and blood samples were taken from their ears. The samples were transferred to the laboratory. Then thick and thin smears were prepared, stained with Geimsa and examined under light microscope. Standard PCR and semi nested- PCR was performed to differentiate genus of Theileria and Babesia, also identify the species of Babesia. From a total of 220 blood samples [160 sheep and 60 goats], 34 cases [15.4%] showed Babesia infection using microscopic examination. Whereas, 11 cases [5%] were found positive for Babesia spp using standard PCR. Also, two positive cases were showed mixed infection with Theileria spp. In addition, two microscopic negative samples were positive by PCR assay. Using semi nested- PCR, Babesia ovis [n=10] and B. motasi [n=1] were detected. Our results shows ovine babesiosis is common in the Northern provinces of Iran. Moreover, Babesia ovis is the main causative agent of ovine babesiosis in northern Iran. The relatively high prevalence of Babesia infection in sheep and goats indicates the epizootic stability status of babesiosis in the northern part of Iran