ABSTRACT
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, and one-third of the world's population has T. gondii antibodies. Due to this issue, the aim of this study was to assess the mean prevalence and odds ratios of T. gondii infection and epidemiological features of neonatal infection worldwide. Materials and Methods: We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of published studies reporting T. gondii infection using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus electronic databases through January 1999 to December 2020, regarding diagnostic tests, and prevalence data of infection among the newborn population. The pooled prevalence of T. gondii with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the random-effects models. Results: A total of thirty eligible articles were included. The estimated global prevalence rate was 44% (95% CI: 29%-0.58%); the highest prevalence rate was in America 47% (95% CI: 30%-64%), followed by Europe 41% (95% CI: 26%-57%) and Asia 33% (95% CI: 4%-61%). In this study, despite our careful analysis of possible modifiers, the heterogeneity was significant (P = 0.000). The publication bias was not significant based on the results of Egger's (P = 0.918) and Begg's tests (P = 0.230). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, T. gondii infection can be a serious concern in newborns around the world. Therefore, further research is needed to provide better strategies to screen and diagnose T. gondii infection in neonates and determine the risk factors associated with the prevalence of infection in neonates worldwide.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cystic echinococcosis is considered a public health problem that if left untreated can have dangerous consequences for the person. The disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato larvae. The main risk factors for this parasitic infection are habitat, direct contact with dogs, use of raw vegetables, and use of unwashed vegetables. The most important factors affecting the prevalence of HCD are economic, occupational, agricultural, educational, and factors related to public health and cultural habits of the general public in that geographical area. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the types of cystic echinococcosis genotypes (E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3) and E. Canadensis (G6 and G7)) in livestock in Iran. Method: This systematic review was conducted, using Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar databases, to identify studies of cystic echinococcosis in animals published from 2010 to April 14, 2021. Finally, 28 studies were selected for meta-analysis, which was analyzed using Stata software version 14. The cystic echinococcosis prevalence with 95% confidence intervals of animals was synthesized using the random effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated and in cases where the I 2 index was higher than 75%, subgroup analysis was performed according to the types of animals. Result: The highest prevalence of cystic echinococcosis infection was related to G1 genotype (P = 0.91 (95% CI = 0.84, 0.97)) and the prevalence was related to G2 genotype (P = 0.07(95% CI = 0.00, 0.18)). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that in the G1 genotype the highest prevalence was observed in Goats and Buffaloes with P = 1 (95% CI = 0.96, 1) and P = 1 (95% CI = 0.97, 1), in the G3 and G6 genotypes the highest prevalence was observed in camels with P = 0.50 (95% CI = 0.31, 0.69), and P = 0.45 (95% CI = 0.22, 0.69), respectively. Conclusion: The cystic echinococcosis genotypes vary from region to region or from country to country and also from host to host, and according to the results, it should always be stopped in areas where the prevalence of such genomes suitable for livestock as well as human food sources to prevent infection of livestock and thus human exposure to cystic echinococcosis.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acanthamoeba spp. are commonest opportunistic amoebae, which ubiquitous in various environmental resources. Acanthamoeba species are the causative agents of amoebic keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and i.e. in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Moreover Acanthamoeba spp. can act as reservoir and transmission agent of bacterial pathogens. Due to this issue the aim of this study was to characterized Acanthamoeba spp. genotypes in dust and soil of hospital samples from Khomein of Iran. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, a total of 100 soil and dust samples were collected from hospital environment of Khomein Iran, and analyzed for the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. based on phenotypic and molecular methods including PCR amplification and sequence analysis of 18SrRNA. A total of 5 Acanthamoeba isolates were sequenced, and different genotypes of isolates were detected via direct sequence analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that 20% of samples (20/100) were positive for Acanthamoeba, while only 5 cases were successfully cultured in NNM medium and were subjected to molecular assay. A. lenticulata, A. castellanii and A. quina were the prevalent identified species that were belonged to T4 and T5 genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Acanthamoeba spp. are the most prevalent free living amoeba in the dust and soil of hospital environment. Moreover, due to the presence of potentially pathogenic T4 genotypes in our hospital, it is recommended that in health and hygienic programs elimination of FLA should be considered.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in humans. Various types of T. canis are important. PURPOSE: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics in the context of a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Sciences, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies published between January 2000 and December 2019 that report the prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics. The evaluation of articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed by 2 researchers individually. RESULTS: The results of 31 relevant studies indicated that the prevalence of Toxocara spp. was 3%-79% in 10,676 cases. The pooled estimate of global prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics was 30 (95% confidence interval, 22%-37%; I2=99.11%; P=0.00). The prevalence was higher in Asian populations than in European, American, and African populations. CONCLUSION: Health policymakers should be more attentive to future research and approaches to Toxocara spp. and other zoonotic diseases to improve culture and identify socioeconomically important factors.
