Seroprevalence of human fasciolosis in a new-emerging focus of fasciolosis in Yasuj district, Southwest of Iran

Fasciolosis is an important health and veterinary problem in Iran. The epidemiological pattern of disease has been changed markedly in recent years and there are regions that have potent capacity to be new focus of the disease. One of these areas is Yasuj district in Southwest of Iran where animal fasciolosis has been quite common. The current study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human fasciolosis in this area and to reveal the epidemiological factors associated with the spreading of the disease in this region. One thousand blood samples were randomly collected from five villages in Yasuj district. ELISA, using Fasciola somatic antigen [SA], was carried out to detect anti Fasciola antibodies in the collected sera. Anti-Fasciola antibodies were detected in serum of 18[1.86%] individuals by ELISA. Out of 18 seropositive people, 9 [0.9] were female and 9 [0.9%] were male. Most of people [99.8%] had a history of consuming wild freshwater plants mainly Nasturtium microphyllum [local name Bakaloo] and/or Mentha logifolia [local name Pooneh]. No significant correlation was found between seropositivity to fasciolosis and sex, age, history of consumption of green leafy aquatic plants whereas correlation between seropositivity and abdominal pain was significant [P< 0.05]. Results of this study showed that the seroprevalence rate of human fasciolosis in Yasuj district is relatively high and this area can be considered as a new emerging focus of the disease in Iran

Variation of the chloroquine resistance transporter [crt] gene in chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive plasmodium berghei

The emergence and spread of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum in the world stimulated some investigators to consider different aspects of chloroquine resistance in human and rodent Plasmodia. Using animal Plasmodia, particularly primate and rodent Plasmodia can be useful model for human Plasmodia studies. In this study we have tried to consider and compare the sequence of chloroquine resistance transporter [crt] gene among chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium berghei. This experimental study was performed at the Malaria Laboratory of School of public health. DNA was extracted from two strains of P. berghei which their resistance and sensitivity had been demonstrated in mice with treatment by chloroquine. By using specific primer for crt gene some parts of this gene were amplified by PCR, and obtained fragments were then sequenced and compared. There were considerable differences in crt gene between two strains. Sequenced 1212 bp of crt gene fragment in the two strains showed 43 differences at nucleotides level and 16 differences in presumed coding amino acids. crt can be addressed as a considerable gene which involves in induction of resistance to chloroquine in P. berghei, as P. falciparum. The results increased such a promise that considering crt gene in chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant P. berghei can prepare suitable and helpful fields for more understanding the molecular aspects of chloroquine-resistance in Plasmodia and reversing the effectiveness of 4-aminoquinolines particularly chloroquine for treatment of drug resistant Plasmodia