Molecular Phylogenetics of Trichostrongylus Species (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) from Humans of Mazandaran Province, Iran

The present study was performed to analyze molecularly the phylogenetic positions of human-infecting Trichostrongylus species in Mazandaran Province, Iran, which is an endemic area for trichostrongyliasis. DNA from 7 Trichostrongylus infected stool samples were extracted by using in-house (IH) method. PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed, and products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence data was performed using MEGA 5.0 software. Six out of 7 isolates had high similarity with Trichostrongylus colubriformis, while the other one showed high homology with Trichostrongylus axei registered in GenBank reference sequences. Intra-specific variations within isolates of T. colubriformis and T. axei amounted to 0–1.8% and 0–0.6%, respectively. Trichostrongylus species obtained in the present study were in a cluster with the relevant reference sequences from previous studies. BLAST analysis indicated that there was 100% homology among all 6 ITS2 sequences of T. colubriformis in the present study and most previously registered sequences of T. colubriformis from human, sheep, and goat isolates from Iran and also human isolates from Laos, Thailand, and France. The ITS2 sequence of T. axei exhibited 99.4% homology with the human isolate of T. axei from Thailand, sheep isolates from New Zealand and Iran, and cattle isolate from USA.

Imported lymphatic filariasis in an indian immigrant to Iran

Lymphatic filariasis [LF], a nematode disease transmitted by arthropod vectors, is repeatedly reported in immigrant population. This disease is not endemic in Iran; however, different species of mosquitoes, capable of transmission of parasite mi-crofilaria, are distributed in the country. Hereby, incidental detection of an imported case of LF due to Wuchereria bancrofti in an Indian worker in Iran is reported. Identification of the case was performed based on morphological and morphomet-rical characteristics of microfilaria and PCR sequencing

Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes, 1842), a new host of Contracaecum sp. and Capillaria sp. (Nematoda) from the Kor River Basin, southwestern Iran

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the parasitic infection status of cyprinid fish, Capoeta damascina in Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 12 cyprinid fish (7 females and 5 males) were collected from Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The collected fish were dissected carefully and their internal organs such as liver, gonad, muscle, abdominal lobes, whole viscera and digestive tract were surveyed parasitologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One female cyprinid fish out of 12 fish was infected with three nematodes. Two nematodes (larvae) were identified as Contracaecum sp. which were attached firmly to the outer part of intestine and another adult helminth was recognized as Capillaria sp. which was recovered from digestive content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study is the first record indicating that cyprinid fish acts as a new host for recovered nematodes. Further helminthological investigations are highly recommended in different parts of Iran in order to expand our knowledge about helmintic parasites of cyprinid fish and their role in transmission of diseases to human and animal.</p>

Endoparasites of stray dogs in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran with special reference to zoonotic parasites

To find out different species of helminthes and blood/tissue protozoan parasites of stray dogs and their potential role for transmission of zoonotic species to human in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast Iran, during 2008-2009. Totally, 100 stray dogs were selected among Mashhad municipal collection from different sites of the city. Internal organs were examined for any parasites. Helminthes were identified based on morphological characteristics. Smears prepared from peripheral blood as well as liver, spleen and any skin lesion were stained by Giemsa and examined microscopically. Samples obtained from spleen were aseptically cultured in three culture media including NNN, Schneider's Drosophila [HIMEDIA] and RPMI1640 [GIBCO] for isolation of Leishmania spp. The titer of anti-Leishmania and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured by direct agglutination test [DAT] and indirect fluorescent antibody test [IFAT], respectively. 84% of dogs were infected at least with one species of intestinal helminthes. The species of parasites and rate of infection were as follows: Taenia hydatigena [61%], Dipylidium caninum [46%], Mesocestoides lineatus [19%], Echinococcus granulosus [10%], Toxascaris leonina [53%] and Toxocara canis [7%]. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected by DAT in 8 dogs [8%] at 1:320 titers and higher. Forty seven dogs [47%] showed anti-Toxoplasma titer at 1:10 and 17 [17%] showed titer of >/= 1:100. No blood parasites were found in prepared blood smears. The high rate of parasitic infection and presence of zoonotic species especially E. granulosus and T. canis emphasizes the risk of diseases spread in urban areas by stray dogs

Seroepidemiology of human hydatidosis using AgB-ELISA test in Arak, central Iran

On the continuation of sorting the puzzle of the situation of hydatid disease in Iran and considering that so far no survey was conducted in this context in Arak City, Markazi Province central Iran, the present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis using AgB-ELISA test. Totally 578 serum samples randomly were collected from patients referred to hospitals and different health centers in the city and 3 nearby villages of Arak. All sera were examined by ELISA tests using AgB. Before sampling, a questionnaire was filled out for each case. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression for risk factors analysis. P<0.05 was considered significant. Cut-off value was calculated 0.32. Twenty cases [3.46%] were seropositive for hydatidosis in the region. This rate for females was 3.99% and for males 2.26%, respectively. There was no significant difference as regards all factors studied except location [P<0.001]. As for job, farmers and ranchmen had the highest rate of infection as 6.67%. The seropositivity rate infection was 4.8% in illiterate people, which showed the highest rate. As regards residency, rural life showed significant difference with urban life [1.5% vs. 7%]. Age group of 40-49 yr old [6.25%] had the highest rate of positivity. The rate of prevalence in this region shows more or less the same range with other cities of Iran. Obtained result might assist the policy makers to take sanitary measures to control the disease

A Case of Fatal Strongyloidiasis in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Molecular Characterization of the Isolate

Strongyloides stercoralis is a human intestinal parasite which may lead to complicated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised. Here, a case of complicated strongyloidiasis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is reported. Presence of numerous S. stercoralis larvae in feces and sputum confirmed the diagnosis of hyperinfection syndrome in this patient. Following recovery of filariform larvae from agar plate culture of the stool, the isolate was characterized for the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA gene by nested-PCR and sequencing. Albendazole therapy did not have cure effects; and just at the beginning of taking ivermectin, the patient died. The most important clue to prevent such fatal consequences is early diagnosis and proper treatment.