ABSTRACT
Blastocystis sp. is one of the most frequently detected intestinal parasites in humans and can inhabit a wide range of animals. Close contact with animals is one of the transmission factors of Blastocystis sp. infection in humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in stray cats living in Izmir, Turkey. The PCR target- ing the barcode region in the SSU rRNA gene was performed with DNA samples isolated from feces (n:465) to investigate the presence of Blastocystis sp. PCR positive samples were sequen- ced for subtyping analysis. Among the samples analyzed, Blastocystis sp. DNA was detected in 17 (3.65%) of them and sequence data were obtained from only seven isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that seven Blastocystis sp. isolates clustered with the reference Blastocystis ST4 isolates. Similarity rates were between 83.22% and 99.25%. In addition, Blastocystis database results confirmed that all of these were "allele 42" corresponding to ST4. As a result, the present study shows for the first time the presence of "ST4 allele 42", the prevalent subtype in humans, in stray cats in Izmir, Turkey. This finding supports the notion that stray cats can be a source of Blastocystis sp. infection in humans.
Subject(s)
Blastocystis Infections/veterinary , Blastocystis/classification , Cat Diseases/parasitology , Animals , Blastocystis/genetics , Blastocystis Infections/epidemiology , Blastocystis Infections/parasitology , Cats , Phylogeny , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
During November-December 1993, 5347 students of a secondary and 3 elementary schools in Bostanli-Karsiyaka, where socio-economic and cultural status are relatively high, were examined for pediculosis capitis. In 225 students (4.2%) eggs and/or adults were detected. 181 (4.14%) out of 4365 elementary school students and 44 (4.48%) out of 982 secondary school students were infested with Pediculus humanus capitis. Comparison with results of previous results are shown in the text.
Subject(s)
Lice Infestations/epidemiology , Scalp Dermatoses/epidemiology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Prevalence , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Sera from 50 patients were examined with conventional ELISA, IFA and Toxolatex Fumouze. Out of 50 specimens only 3 false positive cases were detected with Toxolatex Fumouze as compared with the results of ELISA & IFA tests. Toxolatex Fumouze represents a rapid, highly sensitive and specific technique for screening of specific antibodies against toxoplasmosis, but due to false negative results, sera from patients at risk of severe toxoplasmosis (fetus, HIV+, transplant, immunosupressed) should be tested with other serological methods such as the dye test, DS-ELISA and ISAGA.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Latex Fixation Tests , Toxoplasma/immunology , Toxoplasmosis/diagnosis , AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/diagnosis , Animals , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , False Positive Reactions , Female , HIV Seropositivity , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/diagnosis , Prenatal Diagnosis , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Toxoplasmosis/blood , Toxoplasmosis/immunology , TurkeyABSTRACT
Two different chemicals were used in the treatment of Pediculus h. capitis in cases, who were found to be infested during the screening of 1 secondary and 3 elementary schools in Bostanli-Karsiyaka, Izmir. Sumithrine was found to be more effective than Lindane according to the follow up control performed a month after the treatment. While the efficacy of Sumithrine in Emlakbank elementary school, Metin Asikoglu elementary school and Emlakbank secondary school was noted as 93%, 96% and 86.8% respectively. The efficacy of Lindane was found to be 67.5% in Murside Akyuz elementary school.
