prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the people living in the central areas of mazandaran province [2009 - 2010]

Intestinal parasites, esp. giardiasis are the most common gastrointestinal infection disorders in the world, especially in north of Iran. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in the stool samples of the people living in the central areas of Mazandaran province. In this descriptive study, 4223 human fecal samples were randomly collected from different areas in different seasons in the central regions of Mazandaran province, from Oct 2009 to Sept 2010. The Samples were assessed by direct smear and formalin-ether method. We analyzed the data by using Chi-square and T test. Of 4223 stool samples, 75 [17.9%] have at least one type of parasite. The rate of infection with intestinal protozoa is 15.9% including 8.1% with B. Hominis, 6.4% with G. lamblia, and 1.9% with intestinal worms [S. stercolaris and Strongyloides larvae] .The prevalence rate is 6.1% in rural, 5.9% in urban and 5.8% in mountainous areas. Considering the seasons, the prevalence in the urban area in summer [4/39%], rural area in spring [32%] and mountainous area in fall [28%] are reported. Statistically no significant differences between different regions and seasons have been observed [P> 0.05]. Based on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, especially in the central part of Mazandaran province in different seasons, early diagnosis and treatment of the patients and public health promotion could be effective to prevent and control these infections in north of Iran

[Serological survey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats, sheep and cattle in slaughter houses of Mazandaran province, Iran]

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to economic losses, this disease is transfer able to human and regarding the special ecological conditions of this parasite in nature of Mazandaran province, it is necessary to determine the situation of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in official slaughterhouses in Mazandaran province, in 2004. To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals, in a descriptive cross-sectional study, 639 blood samples were obtained from cattle, sheep and goats between December 2004 and April 2005, from the three main geographical zones of Mazandaran province, Iran. Nine slaughterhouses were randomly selected in Western, Central and Eastern regions. Sera were extracted from 5mL venous blood samples, by centrifugation at 2000xg for 10 min, and were stored at -20°C prior to testing. Sera were screened for T. gondii antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody test [IFAT] and serum samples showing a titre of 1:16 were further diluted to determine the end point. Data were analyzed using Chi-square [X[2]] test. Of the 639 serum samples examined, 27.5% [176/639] showed positive titers equal or higher than 1:16 by IFAT. The highest frequency of antibody titres [1:16 titre] were found in sheep and the least in cattle [9%]. The highest infection rates in cattle were seen in western region with 5.5% antibody titres of 1:16. In three regions, 35% of sheep sera showed positive titers with high frequency of 1:16 antibody titre [17.3%] in Western region. Thirty percent of goat sera in 3 regions were seropositive and the highest infection rate was seen in 1:16 titre [18.5%] in Western region. The results of this study show that the presence of T. gondii specific antibodies for sheep and goats in Northern Iran is high, and the consequent risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis from human consumption of sheep and goat meat may be greater in this region

[Intestinal parasite infections in cattle breeders in rural regions of Babol town during 2003]

Parasitic infections, particularly of intestinal protozoan are very important for hygienic and medical points of views specially in the north of Iran in different ages and professional groups. The aim of this study was to determine intestinal parasitic infection in cattle breeders from rural areas of Babol town. In this descriptive study, stool samples were collected from 181 persons who were in contact with cattle [sheep and cows], lasted for one years. Samples were taken from each person under study and examined. Data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and T-test statistically. this study indicated that the highest rate of infection was observed in persons aged 41-60 years and 62.4% of the cases were man. Rate of contamination to 13 species parasites in total samples were 57 [31.5%]. Highest rates of infection in infected persons were B. hominis and E. coli and G. lamblia. Rate of infection in both sexes to intestinal parasites especially intestinal protozoans in infected persons was different. Highest rate of infection to intestinal parasites was observed in illiterate persons. Infection with different types of pathogenic and non-pathogenic protozoan, particularly to blastocystosis and giardiasis indicating the significance of these infections for the health of the cattle breeders in rural regions of North of Iran. At present attention must be paid to protozoan as infection agent, which is having significant role in intestinal disorder

[Measurement of biochemical components of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel; Mazandaran; 2004]

Different strains of Echinococcus Granulesus have been found in endemic areas of Iran. This variation has a significant aspect in the field of medical parasitology and veterinary and also in epidemiology, pathology, control and prevention of Hydatid cyst infection. Morphology, epidemiology and biochemical studies can be carried out to determine Hydatid cyst strains in human and animal origins as host. This study was done to measure different biochemical compositions of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel in 2004.In a cross sectional-analytical study, 112 samples of Hydatid fluids were collected from the liver cysts of different hosts: 16 sheeps, 64 catties, 12 goats and 10 camels in slaughter houses of Sari and Ghaemshahr and 10 human in Imam hospital. All cyst fluids were centrifuged at 4500 rpm at 4°C for 45 minutes and the supernatants were analyzed for various biochemical parameters.Quantitative differences were observed in the levels of Sodium, Glucose, Urea, Alanin Aminotransferase [AST] in liver cystic fluids obtained from different hosts, although these differences were not statistically insignificant. However, differences in the levels of Potassium, Calcium, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, Uric acid, Creatinin, Albumin, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Aspartat Aminotransferase [AST] and Creatinine Phosphokinase [CPK] in different Hydatid cyst fluids were statistically significant [P<0.05].Differences in biochemical composition of different Hydatid cyst fluids suggest the possible existence of more than one strain of Echinococcus Granulosus in human and other intermediate domestic animal hosts in Mazandaran

[Serological levels of Zinc and Iron elements among Giardia lamblia infected children under 12 years old]

Giardiasis is one of the most prevalent human intestinal parasites, especially among children aged between 2 to 12 years old. In this study, the effects of giardiasis on serological levels of zinc and Iron elements were determined. A total of 100 children aged under 12 years who were admitted to the Pediatric departments of hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University with gastrointestinal complain, and diagnosed as having giardiasis by stool examination [direct and formalin -ether technique and trichrome stain] in the parasitology department, were enrolled as the case group. The control group consisted of 100 age - matched healthy children. A questionaire including age, physical growth status and clinical symptoms was completed. Serological levels of Zinc and Iron were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in all samples in Shilat of Mazandaran. In this study, serum Iron levels were 67 +/- 25 microg/dL and 77 +/- 23 microg/dL and Zinc levels were 64 +/- 20 microg/dL and 96 +/- 23 microg/dL in case and control group, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the serological levels of these elements, which was much higher in serum Iron level [P<0.05]. These results revealed those serological levels of Zinc and Iron decreased during giardiasis due to malabsorption

[Study on prevalence rate of cryptosporidium in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs]

Introduction: cryptosporidiasis is one of the problems in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs

Objectives: considering the presence of broad range of clinical manifestations in such patients, following secondary infections, longevity of patients, the new methods of treatment and prevention, are continually changing. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine Cryptosporidium parvum in 100 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs considered as the test group and another 100 patients with gastroenteritis but non-immunosuppressive drugs users as the control

Materials and Methods: in this case-control survey in Babol Amircola Children Hospital in Babol, 100 patients as test and 100 patients as control after being matched for sex, age, geographic conditions of the residing places [rural and urban areas] were studied. All the data concerning the patients such as age, sex, the kind of disease, the kind of drug used, the doses being used, contact with animals, the kind of drinking water, duration of chemotherapy and other clinical symptoms were obtained by questionnaire. From the test and control groups, stool samples were collected three times, and were stained by Ziehl- Neelsen and modified Ziehl- Neelsen methods. The results were analyzed statistically

Results: the results of the study indicated that the rates of infection in test and control groups were 5 % and 6% respectively. The average infection rate was [5.5 %]. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between test and control groups [Z= 0.3]. The highest rate of infection was observed in the age groups of 4-6 years and 6-8 years in the test and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between sex and the rate of infection. The highest rate of infection was observed in patients with acute lymphatic leukemia. The number of drugs used had no effect on the rate of infection

Conclusion: the results of this study indicate that more accurate laboratory diagnostic methods for this parasite and more individuals with normal and suppressed immune system are required