Influence of tides on the dissemination and related health risks of intestinal helminths along the Kribi beaches (Atlantic Coast, Southern Cameroon).

Kribi is a seaside town that welcomes thousands of tourists each year. However, the poor sanitation condition of its beaches along the Atlantic coast is not without risk for visitors. In this study, we used the formol-ether concentration technique to identify and quantify larvae or eggs of intestinal helminths in waters of three regularly visited Kribi beaches (Mpalla, Ngoyè, and Mboamanga). Results revealed that all identified larvae and eggs were cestodes (Hymenolepis nana) and nematodes (Strongyloides sp., Ascaris sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichiura). All the helminth eggs and larvae showed high abundance at low tide during rainy seasons. Ancylostoma duodenale eggs, totally absent at Mpalla, were densely present at low tide at Ngoyè (301 ± 15 eggs/L). Trichuris trichiura eggs showed the lowest abundance (0 to 62 eggs/L) at all sites. Abiotic variables indicated that waters at the various beaches were basic (pH: 8.75-9.77), generally warmer (32.44°C at Mpalla in the Short Rainy Season), more oxygenated at low tide, and moderately mineralized at high tide. Positive and significant correlations were observed at Ngoyè at low tide between Strongyloides sp. larvae and dissolved oxygen (P ˂ 0.05); and between Ancylostoma duodenale eggs and temperature (P ˂ 0.05). The overall results indicated that the beaches studied are subjected to fecal pollution. This pollution is more accentuated during low tides than during high tides. Depending on tidal movements, swimmers risk exposure to helminth eggs and larvae known to be responsible for gastroenteritis.

Trematode parasites as indicators of an animal component in the diet of the Water Vole Arvicola amphibius.

The intestinal trematode fauna of the Water Vole Arvicola amphibius, (previously A. terrestris), was investigated to determine whether it might provide evidence of an animal component in the diet of this aquatic herbivorous small mammal. Interrogation of the electronic Host-Parasite Database of the Natural History Museum London revealed the presence of fourteen species of intestinal trematode in water voles, infection with each of which would require the ingestion of tissue from an animal intermediate host. The results obtained using these parasite indicators provide convincing evidence of animal components in the diet of A. amphibius and support anecdotal reports of water voles feeding on animal material in the field.

Echinococcus multilocularis and other zoonotic helminths in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from a southern German hotspot for human alveolar echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: We describe the spatial distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in its main definitive host, the red fox, and the distribution of human cases of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) within a highly endemic focus in southern Germany (13.7-19.9/100,000 in 1992-2018). Human cases were unequally distributed within the endemicity focus. The purpose of the study was to test whether this is reflected in the small-scale distribution of E. multilocularis in foxes. METHODS: Three areas with contrasting numbers of human cases were selected within the counties of Ravensburg and Alb-Donau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. From 2018 to 2020, a total of 240 fox carcasses were obtained from traditional hunters in these areas. Carcasses were necropsied and examined for the presence of intestinal helminths. The statistical analysis was performed with SAS version 9.4, and the geo-mapping with QGIS version 3.16.0 Hannover. RESULTS: The prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes was 44/106 (41.5%) in area I (commune Leutkirch and environs), 30/59 (50.8%) in area II (commune Isny and environs), and 31/75 (41.3%) in area III (commune Ehingen and environs). From 1992 to 2018, a total of nine human cases of alveolar echinococcosis were recorded in area I, five cases were recorded in study area III, and no cases were recorded in area II. No statistically significant differences between the areas were observed (P > 0.05) for intestinal infections with E. multilocularis, and no apparent spatial correlation with the small-scale distribution of human cases was found. Concerning other zoonotic helminths, Toxocara spp. were equally common, with prevalence of 38.7%, 47.4% and 48.0%, respectively, while the frequency of Alaria alata varied among the study areas (0.0-9.4%), probably reflecting the specific habitat requirements for the establishment of its complex life cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Echinococcus multilocularis is highly prevalent in foxes in all the studied areas. The varying number of human AE cases within these areas should therefore be caused by factors other than the intensity of parasite transmission in foxes.

Intestinal helminth co-infection and associated factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Africa and Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal helminths have huge public health importance, and they are geographically overlapped. Data about the burden of intestinal helminth and TB co-infection in these areas are fragmented. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we compile the current literatures and generate pooled prevalence. We also identity factors associated with intestinal helminth co-infection among TB patients. METHODS: Original articles published in English language up to March 23, 2022 were systematically searched from electronic database (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholars and HINARI). The search was done using medical subject heading terms and keywords. Identified articles were exported into the EndNote library. The identified articles were screened using PRISMA flow diagram. Then the methodological quality of included articles was evaluated and rated using the modified version of Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel. Sensitivity analysis and Egger regression test were used for the assessment of heterogeneity and publication bias. Finally the results are presented with a meta-analysis of pooled estimates, forest plots, and tables. The quantitative data were analyzed using Stata version 14. RESULTS: From a total of 5457 searched articles, 22 eligible articles were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of helminth co-infection among TB cases was 29.69% (95%CI: 21.10, 38.29). TB patients were found to more frequently harbor one or more intestinal helminths than TB negative individuals (OR = 1.72 (95%CI: 1.20, 2.48)). Among the reported helminths, Schistosoma mansoni and Strongyloides stercoralis had the highest pooled prevalence among TB cases. However, unlike other individual helminths, only Strongyloides stercoralis (OR = 2.67 (95% CI, 1.20-6.76)) had significant association with TB cases compared to TB negatives. BMI was significantly associated with intestinal helminth co-infection among TB patients (OR = 2.75 (95%CI: 1.19, 6.38)). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TB have been shown to harbor co-infection with one or more intestinal helminths with considerable proportions when compared with TB-negative individuals. The higher prevalence of helminth infection in TB cases might indicate that co-infection promotes active TB disease. Thus, routine intestinal helminth screening and assessment of their nutritional status is suggested for TB patients.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection: an underlying cause of invasive bacterial infections of enteric origin. Results from a prospective cross-sectional study of a northern Italian tertiary hospital.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We assessed the prevalence of S. stercoralis in a cohort of inpatients with invasive bacterial infections of enteric origin to investigate whether the parasite may facilitate these bacterial infections even in the absence of larval hyperproliferation. METHODS: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study in a hospital in northern Italy. Subjects admitted due to invasive bacterial infection of enteric origin and potential previous exposure to S. stercoralis were systematically enrolled over a period of 10 months. S. stercoralis infection was investigated with an in-house PCR on a single stool sample and with at least one serological method (in-house IFAT and/or ELISA Bordier). Univariate, bi-variate and logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Strongyloidiasis was diagnosed in 14/57 patients (24.6%; 95% confidence interval 14.1-37.8%) of which 10 were Italians (10/49, 20.4%) and 4 were migrants (4/8, 50.0%). Stool PCR was performed in 43/57 patients (75.4%) and no positive results were obtained. Strongyloidiasis was found to be significantly associated (p ≤ 0.05) with male gender, long international travels to areas at higher endemicity, deep extra-intestinal infectious localization and solid tumors. In the logistic regression model, increased risk remained for the variables deep extra-intestinal infectious localization and oncologic malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a new role of chronic strongyloidiasis in favoring invasive bacterial infections of enteric origin even in the absence of evident larval dissemination outside the intestinal lumen. Further well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm our results, and possibly establish the underlying mechanisms.

Intestinal Parasitic Infections in 2023.

Intestinal parasites include intestinal protozoa and intestinal helminths. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) pose a global health problem affecting over one billion people worldwide. Although these infections are predominantly seen in the developing world, they are frequently seen in the developed countries, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Patients' clinical presentations generally include diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, nutritional deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, anal and perianal itching, and rarely intestinal obstruction. The intestinal parasites have similarities in their mode of transmission and life cycle. The stool test is the primary way of diagnosing IPIs. Treatment is given with various anti-parasitic agents. However, appropriate preventive measures are essential for successfully controlling the IPIs.

In vitro cestocidal activity of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, a traditionally used anthelmintic plant in India.

Persicaria hydropiper is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of helminth infections among the Naga people of India. To verify the traditional claim of the plant, an in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of the methanol extract of P. hydropiper leaves was investigated based on the paralytic and mortality effects on Raillietina echinobothrida, an intestinal cestode parasite of domestic fowl, following exposure to 10, 20 and 30 mg/ml concentrations of extract. The effects of extract were also studied on the body surface of the parasites by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro results showed an efficacy that was dose-dependent. At the highest dose (30 mg/ml), mortality of parasites occurred in 4.79 ± 0.17 h, in comparison to control, where the parasites survived till 45.63 ± 0.18 h. The SEM observations of extract-treated parasites revealed notable impairment in scolex, with distorted suckers and eroded spines. Also, the tegument was observed to be shrunken with impaired microtriches. The results indicate that P. hydropiper leaves possess noteworthy anthelmintic efficacy and justify their use in traditional medicine against intestinal worms.

Association of intestinal helminthic infection and nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are among the commonest infections worldwide. It often affects the poorest communities and has similar geographic distribution with malnutrition. Intestinal helminthic infection contributes to undernutrition through subtle reduction in digestion and absorption of food, chronic inflammation and loss of nutrients. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection and its relationship with nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study of 350 pupils selected through multistage random sampling technique from 24 primary schools in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria from July 2018 to January 2019. Demographic information including age, gender, height, and weight were collected from each participant with a designed collection form. The data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0, and presented as frequency distribution and mean ± SD. The Chisquare test (with Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval) was used to test for association between prevalence of helminthiasis and factors such as gender, age group and school type. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection was 23.7% (83/350). Eighty (96.4%) of the 83 infected pupils were in public schools while only 3 (3.6%) were in private schools (p<0.001). The prevalence of helminthiasis was significantly higher in underweight pupils (34%, OR=2.113, p=0.0065)) and significantly lower (5.4%, OR=0.1637, p=0.0037) in overweight pupils while the prevalence was not significantly associated with normal weight (p=0.5482) or obesity (p=1.000). Conclusions: Intestinal helminthic infection is a public health problem in children with adverse significant relationship with nutritional status. Provision of toilet facilities in schools and periodic de-worming of pupils aimed at reducing loss of nutrients from intestinal helminthiasis are recommended.

Comparison of Different Copromicroscopic Techniques in the Diagnosis of Intestinal and Respiratory Parasites of Naturally Infected Dogs and Cats.

Several copromicroscopic techniques, including tools belonging to the FLOTAC group, are available for the qualitative and/or quantitative diagnosis of canine and feline parasitoses. The present study was carried out to compare the diagnostic performance of different copromicroscopic methods for detecting common intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fecal samples of 100 dogs and 105 cats were randomly selected from different regions of Italy. All samples were subjected to conventional flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann. Fifty-six dogs and twenty-five cats were found positive to at least one technique, and, among them, flotation (55% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) and Mini-FLOTAC (52% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) detected the highest number of positive samples. Larvae of the feline metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior were identified only using the Baermann test in two (1.9%) and one (0.9%) cat respectively. No larvae were found with the Baermann examination of dog feces or any of the other methods. The present results show that the Mini-FLOTAC represents a possible alternative to conventional flotation in clinical settings for the detection of intestinal and respiratory parasites e.g., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., although Baermann's test remains the most recommended technique for the diagnosis of infections caused by metastrongyloid lungworms.

Changes in resident microbiota associated with mice susceptibility or resistance to the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni.

Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal trematode with no tissue phases in the definitive host that has been extensively used as an experimental model to study the factors that determine resistance against intestinal helminths. In E. caproni infections in mice, interleukin-25 (IL-25) plays a critical role and it is required for the resistance to infection. However, little is known on the factors that determine its production. Primary E. caproni infection in mice is characterized by the development of chronic infections and elevated worm recovery, in relation to a local Th1 response with elevated production of interferon-γ. However, partial resistance against secondary E. caproni infections in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice is developed after the chemotherapeutic cure of a primary infection and the innately produced IL-25 after pharmacological treatment. In this paper, we analyse the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the production of IL-25, and the subsequent resistance to infection. For this purpose, we analysed the production of IL-25 under conditions of experimental dysbiosis and also the changes in the resident microbiota in primary infections, pharmacological curation and secondary infections. The results obtained showed that resident microbiota play a major role in the production of IL-25 and the appearance of members of the phylum Verrucomicrobia as a consequence of the curation of the primary infection could be related to the partial resistance to secondary infection.

Multicenter randomized, and blinded European field study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Felpreva®, a novel spot-on formulation containing tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel, in treating cats with mixed infection with intestinal nematodes, cestodes and/or lungworms.

This paper describes a multicentric field study which has evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel spot on formulation containing emodepside 2.04% w/v, praziquantel 8.14% w/v and tigolaner 9.79% w/v (Felpreva®, Vetoquinol) when administered at the intended commercial dose of 0.15 ml/kg body weight to privately owned cats infected with major intestinal nematodes (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Uncinaria stenocephala) and/or cestodes (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis) and/or lungworms (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior). A total of 219 cats from 26 veterinary clinics located in Albania, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Portugal were included in the study. Feces from the cats were examined on a single occasion between Study Day -7 and Day 0 (baseline) and post-treatment (i) twice between Day 7 and Day 14 (± 2) (for intestinal helminths) or (ii) twice between Day 21 (± 2) and Day 28 (± 2) (for lungworms). Cats were allocated into two groups at a ratio of 2:1 (Felpreva®: Profender®, i.e. a commercial control product containing emodepside and praziquantel). Cats infected with intestinal helminths were treated once on Day 0 (i) with Felpreva® (Group 1) or (ii) with Profender® (Group 2). Animals infected with lungworms received a second treatment with Profender® on Day 14 (± 2) regardless of group allocation. Faecal egg or larval count reduction for Felpreva® was 97.47% for intestinal nematodes and 96.80% for lungworms. No cats infected with cestodes at baseline resulted positive after treatment with Felpreva®. However, the low number of cats (n = 10) did not allow for a statistical analysis to be performed. Non-inferiority of Felpreva® compared to Profender® was statistically demonstrated for all target intestinal and respiratory parasites. No adverse events nor application site reactions were observed. These results show that the new topical combination product Felpreva® is highly safe and efficacious in treating infections caused by major species of feline intestinal nematodes, cestodes and lungworms under field conditions.

Canalization and developmental stability of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) mandible and cranium related to age and nematode parasitism.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian mandible and cranium are well-established model systems for studying canalization and developmental stability (DS) as two elements of developmental homeostasis. Nematode infections are usually acquired in early life and increase in intensity with age, while canalization and DS of rodent skulls could vary through late postnatal ontogeny. We aimed to estimate magnitudes and describe patterns of mandibular and cranial canalization and DS related to age and parasite intensity (diversity) in adult yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). RESULTS: We found the absence of age-related changes in the levels of canalization for mandibular and cranial size and DS for mandibular size. However, individual measures of mandibular and cranial shape variance increased, while individual measures of mandibular shape fluctuating asymmetry (FA) decreased with age. We detected mandibular and cranial shape changes during postnatal ontogeny, but revealed no age-related dynamics of their covariance structure among and within individuals. Categories regarding parasitism differed in the level of canalization for cranial size and the level of DS for cranial shape. We observed differences in age-related dynamics of the level of canalization between non-parasitized and parasitized animals, as well as between yellow-necked mice parasitized by different number of nematode species. Likewise, individual measures of mandibular and cranial shape FA decreased with age for the mandible in the less parasitized category and increased for the cranium in the most parasitized category. CONCLUSIONS: Our age-related results partly agree with previous findings. However, no rodent study so far has explored age-related changes in the magnitude of FA for mandibular size or mandibular and cranial FA covariance structure. This is the first study dealing with the nematode parasitism-related canalization and DS in rodents. We showed that nematode parasitism does not affect mandibular and cranial shape variation and covariance structure among and within individuals. However, parasite intensity (diversity) is related to ontogenetic dynamics of the levels of canalization and DS. Overall, additional studies on animals from natural populations are required before drawing some general conclusions.

A survey of intestinal helminths in domestic dogs in a human-animal-environmental interface: the Oloisukut Conservancy, Narok County, Kenya.

Dogs living in a domestic-wildlife interface can serve as reservoirs and sentinels of parasites shared among humans, domestic animals and wildlife. In Kenya, the epidemiology of intestinal parasites of dogs and their role as reservoirs of zoonoses is poorly understood, especially in domestic-wildlife interfaces. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of intestinal helminths in domestic dogs in the Oloisukut Conservancy. One hundred dog faecal samples were collected per rectum and examined microscopically following zinc chloride flotation and formal-ether concentration techniques. Genotyping of helminths was achieved by nested polymerase chain reaction of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, cytochrome oxidase 1 and partial sequencing. Nine genera were detected by microscopy in 65 (65%) dog faecal samples from 54/76 (71.05%) households. The most frequent helminths were hookworm (39%), Spirometra spp. (17%), taeniids (13%), Toxocara spp. (10%), Trichuris spp. (10%), Spirocerca lupi (5%), Physaloptera spp. (2%), Dipylidium caninum (1%) and Strongyloides spp. (1%). Ancylostoma caninum was the only hookworm species detected in dogs, while Taenia serialis and Taenia madoquae were detected in four and one faecal samples, respectively. This study reports for the first time the molecular detection of the cestodes Spirometra theileri, D. caninum and Mesocestoides sp. in dogs in Kenya. The presence of zoonotic helminths in dogs indicates that the residents of this conservancy are exposed to public health risks. The helminths reported here confirm the interaction of domestic dogs with wildlife. An integrated control programme involving the medical, veterinary and wildlife conservation professionals is needed to avert transmission of infectious diseases to humans, domestic animals and wildlife.

Intestinal helminth infections in the golden jackal (Canis aureus L.) from Vojvodina: Hotspot area of multilocular echinococcosis in Serbia.

In the present study, 64 golden jackals were examined for intestinal helminths in three regions of Vojvodina, Serbia. Among the examined jackals 57.8% were infected with at least one parasite species. Using the intestinal scraping technique (SCT), eight species of intestinal helminths were found: Alaria alata (7.8%), Toxascaris leonina (9.4%), Toxocara canis (4.7%), Uncinaria stenocephala (20.3%), Echinococcus multilocularis (14.1%), Mesocestoides sp. (42.2%), Taenia pisiformis, and Taenia hydatigena (the overall prevalence of Taenia infection was 6.3%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. leonina in jackals from Serbia. In comparison with the SCT results, coprological tests were less sensitive and specific for parasite identification, as only two nematode species (T. leonina and T. canis) as well as ancylostomatid and taeniid eggs were identified. The total prevalence of intestinal helminths was higher in males (71.9% males, 45% females), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ 2 = 3.76; P = 0.052). Co-infection with two species of intestinal helminths was found in 35% of the examined golden jackal individuals, three-species co-infection was demonstrated in 21.6%, whereas four-species co-infection was detected in 2.7% of the golden jackals examined. Echinococcus multilocularis has previously been recorded in jackals and foxes in Serbia, but only in Vojvodina. Our results corroborate the findings of previous studies, and indicate that the Vojvodina Province, more specifically the Srem region, is probably a high-risk area for E. multilocularis transmission to humans.

Status of Intestinal Helminth Infection in Schools Implementing the Home-Grown School Feeding Program and the Impact of the Program on Pupils in Anambra State, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: Intestinal helminthiasis among pupils is a major impediment to their well-being and development. This 2-year study determined how home-grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) impacted on pupils' school attendance and created opportunity for more children to assess interventions geared towards the prevention and possible elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 1677 consented pupils and examined for helminths using Kato-Katz technique. Pupils were treated with 40 mg Levamisole (anti-helminthic) and re-examined. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to determine anthropometric indices and risk factors. RESULTS: A 6% prevalence rate which was not significant with respect to sex or age was observed. Helminth parasites observed were Ascaris lumbricoides (4.4%), Trichuris trichiura (0.8%), Hookworm spp. (0.2%), and Taenia spp. (0.5%). Two pupils (1.98%) recorded high intensity of infection (epg) while 98.02% had light infection. Ascaris lumbricoides voided following treatment were 290. The Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated that infected pupils had lower values (14.6317) compared to uninfected pupils (19.2003). The HGSFP significantly improved school attendance by 30%. Lack of knowledge about transmission (P = 0.0004), hand hygiene (P = 0.01) and usage of toilet (P = 0.01) were risk factors observed. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Intestinal helminthiasis remains a public health problem among pupils because environmental and behavioural risk factors persist. HGSFP improved school attendance and created opportunity for more inclusive participation of school-aged children for deworming. This has great potential in fast-tracking the elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. The present study consequently advocates the need to sustain HGSFP in schools.

Intestinal helminthic infection and allergic disorders among school children enrolled in mass deworming program, Sululta, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal helminths have been proposed to have a protective role against allergic sensitization and atopic diseases. However, consistent data demonstrating this are lacking in Sub-Saharan countries. We aimed to assess the association between intestinal helminths and allergic disorders among school children enrolled in mass deworming program in Sululta, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 526 school children aged 5 to 14 years old from primary government schools in Sululta district, Ethiopia. An interviewer-led questionnaire administered to parents provided information on demographic and lifestyle variables. Questions on allergic disease symptoms were collected using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire 6 months following deworming treatments. Atopy was defined as a positive skin prick test reaction to one or both dust mite (Dermatophagoides) and German cockroach (Blatella germanica) allergens. Fresh stool samples were collected, processed, and examined by direct wet mount, Kato-Katz technique, and formol-ether concentration technique. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between allergic disorder and helminths infection. RESULTS: Of the total 526 school children, 58.2% were females. Overall, 24% (126/526) had allergic symptoms, 5.1% (27/526) had atopy, and 16.9% (89/526) had intestinal helminths. There was no association between helminthic infection and self-reported allergic symptoms (P = 0.317), but Ascaris lumbricoides infection was positively associated with atopy (AOR = 4.307, 95% CI 1.143-16.222, P = 0.031). Atopy was related to increased allergy symptoms (AOR = 2.787, 95% CI 1.253-6.197, P = 0.012), and family history of allergy was associated with increased childhood allergy (AOR = 2.753, 95% CI 1.565-4.841, P = 0.001). Deworming in the past 6 months showed a reduced odd of self-reported allergic symptoms (AOR = 0.581, 95% CI 0.366-0.954, P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: While no significant association between self-reported allergy and helminths was found in this study, this may have been due to the low prevalence and intensity of helminthic infection in the sample. There was a positive association between Ascaris lumbricoides and atopy. To further examine the underlying mechanism behind this positive association, a longitudinal study is needed.

Lost and found: Helminths infecting invasive raccoons introduced to Italy.

North American raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been introduced to several European countries, where they may represent a sanitary threat as hosts of several pathogens such as the zoonotic ascarid Baylisascaris procyonis. We carried out parasitological analysis on raccoons introduced to Italy to verify whether the species had carried along B. procyonis or any other gastro-intestinal helminths that may threaten humans, livestock or native wildlife. We examined 64 raccoons culled in Northern Italy during control activities and 3 roadkills opportunistically sampled from a separate population located in central Italy. Helminths were collected from the gastro-intestinal tract through standard parasitological techniques and identified based on a combination of morphology and molecular methods. Overall, examined raccoons showed a poor parasitic fauna, with almost 30% of individuals free of any helminth infection. The most prevalent species were the nematodes Strongyloides procyonis (26.9%), Aonchotheca putorii (25.4%) and Porrocaecum sp. (19.4%). Plagiorchis sp. trematodes were also common (13.4%), whereas cestodes were scarcely represented. With the exception of S. procyonis introduced from North America, all the other identified taxa have either a Eurasian or a wide Holarctic distribution. Despite not finding any B. procyonis in the examined raccoons, passive surveillance for this parasite should be implemented, especially in Tuscany, since the limited host sample examined in the present survey does not allow to exclude its presence.

Centesimal composition and meat yield of Hoplias malabaricus: association with intestinal parasites / Composição centesimal e rendimento da carne de Hoplias malabaricus: associação com parasitos intestinais

Abstract Hoplias malabaricus is a non-migratory fish commonly found in the Mogi Guaçu River basin, mainly feeding on fish, small crustaceans and insects. It forms part of the diet for humans, birds and some mammals. This fish has great nutritional value, with both good quality and good quantities of essential vitamins and amino acids. Regarding parasitic fauna, this fish can host different species of helminths in its gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible interference of parasitism in the meat yield from H. malabaricus and the centesimal composition. For this purpose, fish specimens were collected from marginal lagoons of the Mogi Guaçu River (Pirassununga, state of São Paulo, Brazil) using hooks and fishing nets. We found that all specimens of H. malabaricus were parasitized by at least one species, including larvae of Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Parasitism did not have any significant influence on centesimal composition, but meat yield was negatively correlated with the abundance of larvae.

Resumo Hoplias malabaricus é um peixe comumente encontrado na bacia do rio Mogi Guaçu. Não realiza migração e alimenta-se de peixes, pequenos crustáceos e insetos. Faz parte da dieta de seres humanos, aves e outros mamíferos piscívoros. Apresenta grande valor nutricional em relação à quantidade e à qualidade de vitaminas e aminoácidos essenciais. Em relação à fauna parasitária, este peixe pode albergar diferentes espécies de helmintos em seu trato gastrointestinal. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a eventual interferência do parasitismo no rendimento e na composição centesimal da carne do pescado de H. malabaricus. Para isso, foram realizadas coletas por um ano, em lagoas marginais do rio Mogi Guaçu, Pirassununga, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, utilizando-se anzol e rede de espera. Como resultado, todos os exemplares de H. malabaricus estavam parasitados por, pelo menos, uma espécie de parasita, prevalecendo larvas de Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). O parasitismo não afetou a composição centesimal da carne do peixe, mas foi encontrada uma correlação negativa forte entre o rendimento da carne e o número de larvas de parasitos.

Ectoparasites and Intestinal Helminths of Pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of ectoparasites and intestinal helminths of different pigeon taxa in Medina, Saudi Arabia, with special emphasis on the feral pigeon, Columba livia domestica (Columbiformes: Columbidae), was evaluated. Fifty-four pigeons were examined externally for ectoparasites and 28 feral pigeons were examined for helminths. Two ectoparasites were recorded on feral C. l. domestica (Harami) pigeons, including the shaft louse Menopon gallinae (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), and the pigeon fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), with 100 and 88.90% prevalence, respectively. Ectoparasites were also collected from 5 other breeds of C. l. domestica (Pakistani, Farensi, Turki, Kori, and Qatifi). Menopon gallinae infected Pakistani, Farensi, and Turki pigeons with 100% prevalence. A third ectoparasite, the brown poultry louse, Goniodes dissimilis (Psocodea: Philopteridae), infected Farensi, Turki, and Kori pigeons at rates of 100, 50, and 50%, respectively. Qatifi pigeons were not infected with any ectoparasites. Two types of intestinal helminths were recovered from feral pigeons: cestodes of Raillietina spp. (Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) and nematodes of Ascaridia sp. (Ascaridida: Ascaridiidae) (with 10.71 and 3.57% prevalences, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to shed light on the parasites of pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Review of Successful Control of Parasitic Infections in Korea.

Korea had been one of hyperendemic countries of human parasitic infections until 1970s. In 1966, the Law for the Prevention of Parasitic Diseases was enacted, and the nationwide anti-parasitic control program began in 1969. The initiation of the national program was supported financially by Japan. The program included screening of whole students in Korea and treatment of all egg positive cases twice a year, and ended in 1995. In addition to student program, deworming campaign was run in the community, and 8 national status surveys were implemented from 1971 to 2012. Whole helminth egg positive rate was 84.3% in 1971 and decreased to 2.6% in 2012. Ascaris and other intestinal nematodes, Paragonimus, Taenia, and intestinal protozoa had decreased significantly throughout the country, but Clonorchis sinensis and intestinal trematodes are still prevalent locally in endemic areas. Lymphatic filariasis had been endemic in Jeju-do and other southern islands but elimination was endorsed in 2008. The control of parasitic infection in Korea was successful with statistical prevalence data, which can be a benchmarking model. In conclusion, the successful control in Korea could be achieved by social agreement of the priority, professional guidelines and systematic approach with good anthelminthics supply, and simultaneous economic growth.