RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm blooded nucleated cells. One of the ways for human infection is ingestion of oocysts directly from soil or via infected fruits or vegetables. To survey the potential role of T. gondii oocyst in soil samples, the present study was conducted in Tehran City, Iran. METHODS: A total of 150 soil samples were collected around rubbish dumps, children's play ground, parks and public places. Oocysts recovery was performed by sodium nitrate flotation method on soil samples. For molecular detection, PCR reaction targeting B1 gene was performed and then, the positive results were confirmed using repetitive 529 bp DNA fragment in other PCR reaction. Finally, the positive samples were genotyped at the SAG2 locus. RESULTS: Toxoplasma DNA was found in 13 soil samples. After genotyping and RFLP analysis in SAG2 locus, nine positive samples were revealed type III, one positive sample was type I whereas three samples revealed mixed infection (type, I & III). CONCLUSION: The predominant genotype in Tehran soil samples is type III.
RESUMEN
Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Iran, particularly in Ardabil Province, where it causes health and economic problems. The genetic pattern of Echinococcus granulosus has been determined in most parts of Iran, except in this area. In the present investigation, 55 larval isolates were collected from humans (11), sheep (19), goats (4) and cattle (21). For analysis of the genetic characteristics of E. granulosus isolates, DNA sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes was applied. Fifty isolates were successfully analysed, with 92% (46) and 8% (4) identified as G1 and G3 genotypes, respectively. The sequence analyses of the isolates displayed nine characteristic profiles in cox1 sequences and eight characteristic profiles in nad1 sequences. Based on these results, the sheep strain (G1 genotype) was the most prevalent in humans, sheep, goats and cattle. The buffalo strain (G3 genotype) was not only demonstrated in sheep (1 isolate) and cattle (1 isolate), but also for the first time in two human isolates. These findings will provide information for local control of echinococcosis.
Asunto(s)
Animales Domésticos/parasitología , Equinococosis/parasitología , Equinococosis/veterinaria , Echinococcus granulosus/clasificación , Echinococcus granulosus/genética , Variación Genética , Animales , Bovinos , Análisis por Conglomerados , ADN de Helmintos/química , ADN de Helmintos/genética , Echinococcus granulosus/aislamiento & purificación , Complejo IV de Transporte de Electrones/genética , Genotipo , Humanos , Irán , Larva/clasificación , Larva/genética , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , NADH Deshidrogenasa/genética , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease cause by Leishmania genus. Anthroponotic and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis by mini-exon gene in five regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. METHODS: From 2007 to 2008 in this cross-sectional study, cutaneous samples were collected from patients referred to Health Centers and Hospitals of the Khuzestan Province for cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis and cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) and RPMI 1640. The propagated promastigotes were harvested and Leishmania species of cutaneous leishmaniasis were identified by RFLP and DNA sequencing of the PCR generated fragments. RESULTS: L. major and L. tropica were the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis by predominantly of L. major species. The alignment of the mini-exon sequencing isolates with reported sequencing of L. major and L. tropica revealed 92%-99% identity. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that mini-exon PCR-RFLP was useful method to identify the causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
RESUMEN
Starved Bovicola bovis were confined until they died, with dried cow blood, dried cow serum, primary hair, secondary hair and calf skin scales stained with 1% toluidine blue. Feeding occurred readily on skin scales, as shown by dark staining of the intestine, and minimally on primary and secondary hair; lice confined with other substances did not feed.