ABSTRACT
Background: Sarcocystis spp. are one of the most common foodborne tissue cyst-forming coccidia with a public health and veterinary concern. Aims: The existing study aimed to rectify the epidemiological profile of Sarcocystis spp. infection in the cattle carcasses as well as to explore the structure and phylogenetic features of Sarcocystis spp. isolates. Methods: A total of 292 cattle carcasses were checked for the existence of sarcocysts using light microscopy (LM) via muscle squash (MS) and peptic digestion (PD) analysis from January 2020 to December 2020. Individual sarcocysts from different cattle tissues were selected for morphologic characterization and DNA extraction. Each sarcocyst's 18S rDNA gene was amplified, sequenced, and analyzed. Results: Overall, 92.5% (270/292) of cattle tissue samples contained microscopic thin walled sarcocysts and were exclusively found in esophagus by light microscopy. A statistically insignificant relationship exists between the prevalence of infection and age groups, gender of cattle, and the seasonal dynamics (P>0.05). Sarcocysts ultrastructural features were completely discussed. Sequencing of 18S rDNA Sarcocystis gene confirmed S. cruzi (identity 99-100%), which was the first molecular identification of the current isolate in the study region. Conclusion: The current survey initially provides a brief account of knowledge about the epidemiology of Sarcocystis spp. infecting cattle and it is considered a starting point for the development of health awareness and efficient preventive schemes for this zoonotic protozoan parasite.
ABSTRACT
Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most significant cyclo-zoonotic diseases of major economic and public health significance worldwide. The current study was carried out to determine the epidemiological profile of cystic echinococcosis as well as to investigate its molecular and phylogenic status from one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the southern region of Egypt. In the present work, 110 camels freshly slaughtered at Daraw abattoirs, Aswan governorate were inspected for the presence of Hydatid cysts (HCs) visually and manually by palpation and incision, over a period of one year (June, 2018 - May, 2019). Furthermore, fourteen fertile hydatid cyst samples were collected from lungs of slaughtered camels. DNA extraction from two fertile samples was successfully achieved followed by phylogenetic analysis on two mitochondrial genes (cox1and nad1). Out of 110 camels slaughtered 11 (10 %) were found harboring hydatid cysts. The infection was found to prevail throughout the year, with the highest peak encountered in winter (45.5 %). The lungs were the most frequently infected organs (72.7 %) with liver cysts occurring at a significantly lower rate (27.3 %). The mean value of total protein, glucose, urea, cholesterol, magnesium, potassium, copper and creatinine was higher in cystic fluid from camels as compared to cattle. Blast and phylogenetic analysis on sequenced genes showed the presence of Echinococcus intermedius, originally the pig genotype (G7) in camels for the first time in Egypt. To the best of our knowledge, the current research provides a description of the current epidemiological and molecular situation of camel hydatidosis in the southern region of Egypt. Furthermore, the current results may have significant implications for hydatid disease control in the studied region.
ABSTRACT
Amoebiasis is still the cause of one of the major health problem and a common lifethreatening parasitic disease affecting 12% of the world population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the seroepidemiology of amoebiasis in Najran City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 455 blood samples taken from healthy persons and surplus serum from various hospitals serology laboratories, over a one year period, between September 2014 to September 2015 were screened for the presence of amoebic antibody in their blood serum using indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). Out of the 455 samples of sera tested, 158 (40.7%) were found to be positive with a titers ranging from 1:32 to 1:512. The younger age groups had the highest t positive rates than the other groups (p<0.0001). The prevalence of infection was more common in females (57.3%) than males (29.8%), and showed statistical significance (P<0.001). There was a significant association on the presence of Amoeba antibodies in relation to the nationality of residence, and the seasonal dynamics of infection (P<0.05). The present study noticed that stray cats are potential reservoirs of infections and should be considered important to public health. The present findings highlighted that Entamoeba histolytica parasite is prevalent in Najran area. The establishment of such data will be beneficial for the public health authorities in the planning and implementation of specific prevention and control strategies of this infection in Saudi Arabia.
