Hymenolepiasis Caused by Hymenolepis nana in Humans and Natural Infection in Rodents in a Marginal Urban Sector of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

BACKGROUND Hymenolepiasis is a globally prevalent zoonosis of the monoxenic cycle. Humans acquire the disease through fecal-oral transmission by ingesting food or water with infective eggs from infected rodents. This report presents 3 cases of hymenolepiasis in children, due to zoonotic transmission from rodents and presumably associated with the consumption of powdered milk contaminated with infective eggs of Hymenolepis nana, and shows that awareness and early diagnosis contributed to timely treatment of the disease. CASE REPORT Three children, aged 9, 12, and 13 years, living in a marginal urban area of Guayaquil, Guayas province, Ecuador, presented symptoms of diarrhea, low body weight, abdominal discomfort, anorexia, paleness, and anal itching. Subsequently, their fecal samples were analyzed by direct coproparasitic methods, flotation and sedimentation with centrifugation using saline solution; the presence of H. nana eggs was determined. Blood biometry was performed. Further, 10 rodents were captured and necropsied to obtain intestinal contents. The powdered milk consumed by the children was analyzed, the same powder that contained rodent feces. Subsequently, these were studied with the above-mentioned coproparasitic methods. H. nana eggs were identified in the 6 trapped rodents, the powdered milk, and the feces of rodents found in the milk powder. CONCLUSIONS Hymenolepiasis can affect populations of endemic areas. In this case, the disease was identified in 3 children, who were diagnosed with eosinophilia and anemia. Additionally, the presence of H. nana eggs in captured rodents and in powdered milk was determined, indicating that the community was exposed to this zoonotic disease.

Cestocidal activities of bioactive garlic compounds against Hymenolepis nana.

Hymenolepis nana, a parasitic tapeworm distributed worldwide, is very prevalent in countries with poor sanitary conditions. Garlic is widely used as a seasoning and medicinal plant all over the world, and its derivatives have proven anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. Our study explored the cestocidal and therapeutic effects of allicin derivatives against H. nana in vitro and in vivo. Worms taken from a host were cultured in vitro, and the effects of allyl sulfide (DAS), allyl disulfide (DADS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatments were observed. Male BALB/c mice were then fed eggs to produce infection, given drugs for ten days and dissected. The results of this study showed that DADS in garlic exhibited good cestocidal effects in vitro and in vivo. DADS and DATS reduced motility, induced mortality and damaged body segments of worms in vitro. In vivo, the number of worms in the low-dose and high-dose DADS groups was significantly less than the infected control group. DADS effected cytokine changes in BALB/c mice after infection. IFN-γ increased, IL-2, 4, 6 and 13 decreased, and IL-5, 10 and IL-12 p70 did not change significantly. As a medicinal plant, garlic has many active ingredients that can developed as anti-microbial or parasite-related drugs.

Fatal Hymenolepis nana cestodiasis in a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).

The cestode Hymenolepis nana is a common parasite of humans and mice. Fecal shedding in the absence of clinical disease has previously been reported in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). This report describes fatal, disseminated H. nana cestodiasis infection in an aged ring-tailed lemur in a zoological collection. The parasites were associated with severe multifocal to coalescing and regionally extensive pyogranulomatous hepatitis and moderate multifocal pneumonia. The morphology of the parasites was highly unusual. Profiles were variably sized, ellipsoid to irregularly serpiginous, lined by a thin tegument, and filled with lightly eosinophilic fibrillar stroma and numerous, round basophilic cells. Polymerase chain reaction targeting a portion of the 18S rRNA gene and DNA sequencing of the amplicon showed 100% homology with H. nana.

Molecular identification of the rodent-borne pathogen Rodentolepis nana using the genetic markers of ITS-1, 18 S, and 28 S rDNA.

BACKGROUND: Rodentolepis nana (syn. Hymenolepis nana), the most common cyclophyllid tapeworm infecting rodents, is a well-studied gastrointestinal parasite in mice and belongs to the family Hymenolepididae. METHODS: The present study focuses on the molecular analysis for the nuclear genes (ITS-1, 18 S, and 28 S rDNA) used for the accurate recognition of the recovered Rodentolepis species. RESULTS: The annotated partial ITS-1, 18 S, and 28 S rDNA gene regions were deposited in GenBank (gbǀ MW310394.1, gbǀ MW327585.1, and gbǀ MW324479.1, respectively) and further used in the maximum likelihood method (ML) to clarify their genetic relationships at the species level. The interrogation sequence of R. nana was aligned and belonged to the family Hymenolepididae, in the same group as all Hymenolepis species, which were distinct from Cyclophyllidea cestodes, especially species belonging to Anoplocephalidae and Taeniidae. Sequence data support the paraphyly of Hymenolepis species. CONCLUSIONS: The phylogeny supports the availability of the ITS-1, 18 S, and 28 S rDNA genes as reliable genetic markers for evolutionary relationships.

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en la población infantil de una zona rural del Ecuador / Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in the child population of a rural area of Ecuador

En la actualidad las investigaciones entorno a la calidad de vida desde la salud, son de vital importancia a nivel mundial, puesto que la identificación de los factores que desencadenan ciertas patologías prevalentes sirven para actuar y mejorar las condiciones de vida; en específico en este trabajo nos referiremos al grupo infantil y la parasitosis pediátrica, la misma que genera índices de anemia, peso bajo, entre otros. El propósito fue identificar la prevalencia de parásitos intestinales en escolares de 6 a 12 años en poblaciones rurales, de la ciudad de Paute, Ecuador. Se realizó una investigación de tipo cuantitativa, descriptiva y transversal, se trabajó con 608 niños pertenecientes a zonas rurales de Paute, el análisis coprológico fue mediante el método convencional, se reportó número de parásitos por campo. Esta investigación fue desarrollada bajo el permiso de un Comité de Bioética. Se analizaron 608 muestras coproparasitarias, obteniéndose una significancia estadística con respecto al sexo, los varones presentaron una prevalencia de parasitismo (14,63%) sobre las mujeres (8,88%), el parásito con mayor prevalencia es la Entamoeba histolytica. La prevalencia de parasitosis infantil en el sector rural de Paute, Ecuador es de 23,52%, siendo mayor en varones, el parásito más frecuente es la E. histolytica(AU)

Currently, the research about life's quality from a health's point of view has received tremendous attention around the world, because the identification of the facts that start a variety of prevalent pathologies are being used to improve life conditions. In this work we try the child group and its pediatric parasitosis, that produce anemia, low weight, and others. The purpose was to recognize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in scholar children from 6 to 12 years old in marginal populations of the city Paute, Ecuador. A quantity type of investigation was made, descriptive and transversal, using a population of 608 children from the rural population of Paute, the coprological analysis was using conventional methods, number of parasites were reported. This research was developed under the permission of the Bioethics Committee. 608 coproparasites samples were analyzed, getting a significative statistic in reference to sex. Boy's samples show a prevalence of parasitism (14,63%) in girls' samples (8,88%), the more prevalent parasite is Entamoeba Histolytica. The prevalence of children's parasitosis in the rural sector of Paute, Ecuador is 23,52% being more affected boys than girls. The most frequent parasite is E. Histolytica(AU)

Evaluation of the efficiency of some disinfectants on the viability of Hymenolepis nana eggs isolated from wastewater and faecal sludge in Yaounde (Cameroon): importance of some abiotic variables.

Hymenolepis nana is responsible for many parasitic infections in tropical areas, with its persistence in aquatic environments as major contributory factor. A study aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of some disinfectants on the viability of Hymenolepis nana eggs was conducted in microcosm. Sampling consisted of taking wastewater and sewage sludge samples in sterilized containers and then transporting to the laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environmental Sciences for the determination of Hymenolepis nana eggs using standard protocols. The experimental set-up consisted of five replicates, four tests and a control. The test samples were successively treated with four disinfectants (calcium chlorite, hydrogen peroxide, gypsum and sodium hypochlorite). The physico-chemical parameters were measured before and after disinfection. The samples were then observed under an optical microscope after concentration of the sample through sedimentation and McMaster technique. The viability of the eggs was determined using incubation and staining techniques. The analysis revealed that the selected disinfectants significantly reduced the physico-chemical parameters (with an average yield ranging from 79.24 ± 19.43% to 99.24 ± 1.47%). These physico-chemical parameters can significantly influence the treatment of Hymenolepis nana eggs either by absorbing the disinfectant or by constituting a protective barrier for the eggs, and the physico-chemical nature of the disinfectant strongly influences the formation of disinfection by-products. Calcium chlorite showed a greater effectiveness in reducing egg viability with efficiency rates of 93.12 ± 9.12% followed by hydrogen peroxide (89.57 ± 14.55%), sodium hypochlorite (82.51 ± 14.39%) and gypsum (80.85 ± 12.88%). The results obtained with gypsum are almost similar to those obtained with other disinfectants (calcium chlorite, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite) and clearly show that this disinfectant can be used in water treatment because, unlike other chemical disinfectants, it has no known toxic effects.

Bioguided isolation of N-malonyl-(+)-tryptophan from the fruit of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. that showed high activity against Hymenolepis nana.

Pithecellobium dulce is distributed in America and Asia where is widely used in traditional medicine. This study describes the bioguided fractionation of the methanol extract (ME) obtained from the P. dulce fruit that showed in vitro activity against Hymenolepis nana; Artemia salina assay was used to determine toxicity; and the purified compound was computationally analysed to obtain its absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion-and-toxicity properties (ADMET). The ME and its fractions were more active than praziquantel (PZQ), and the purified compound was characterized as N-malonyl-(+)-tryptophan (NMT). Parasites treated with NMT showed shorter paralysis and death times (5 and 7 min) than those treated with PZQ (15 and 30 min), both used at 20 mg/mL. Toxicity and ADMET prediction results supported the slight-hazardousness and efficacy of the assayed fractions/compound. This is the first report of the antiparasitary activity of both the P. dulce ME and NMT, showing their potential to treat human H. nana infections.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Hymenolepis nana in human and rodent hosts in Iran: A remaining public health concern.

Hymenolepis nana, as a neglected zoonotic helminth, naturally occurs in both humans and rodents. Herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate pooled prevalence of H. nana infection among human and rodent hosts for the first time in Iran. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases (English articles) and SID and Magiran databases (Persian articles) were systematically searched for relevant studies published from inception till May 24, 2020. Chi2 and I2 index were used to assess the heterogeneity of the included studies. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's intercept and visual inspection of the funnel plot. Pooled prevalence was estimated using random-effects model with 95 % confidence interval (CI) and depicted as a forest plot. STATA software was used for analysis. The overall pooled prevalence estimate of H. nana in humans included 1.2 % (95 % CI = 1.0-1.4%). Subgroup analysis revealed 2.2 % (95 % CI = 1.8-2.6%) and 0.5 % (95 % CI = 0.3 to 0.8 %) of H. nana infection among school children and food handlers, respectively. In terms of rodent hosts, the overall pooled prevalence of H. nana infection included 13 % (95 % CI = 9.3-16.6%). Subgroup analysis revealed the highest rate of the infection was in Rattus spp. (19.6 %; 95 % CI = 10.6-28.6%), a genus with synanthropic behavior. It seems, despite the advancement in sanitation infrastructure and hygiene status, the H. nana infection compares to other helminthic diseases remains a challenging public health problem in Iran.

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en trabajadores de la florícola Irose de la provincia de Pichincha ­ Cantón Pedro Moncayo 2019 / Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in workers of the irose florícola of the province of pichincha - Canton Pedro Moncayo

Las infecciones por parásitos intestinales son de ocurrencia constantes y se encuentran asociadas al incumplimiento de las medidas sanitarias por parte de la población. El objetivo de esa investigación fue establecer la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal por protozoos y helmintos en trabajadores de la florícola iRose de la provincia de Pichincha-Cantón Pedro Moncayo mediante el examen coproparasitario realizado en el mes de agosto de 2019. Correspondió a un estudio transversal, descriptivo y de tipo observacional. La población estuvo integrada por 88 personas, quienes son trabajadores de la florícola iRose, Provincia de Pichincha, cantón Pedro Moncayo, distribuidos de la siguiente manera: 49 trabajadores del sexo masculino y 39 trabajadores del sexo femenino. La técnica de recolección de datos utilizada fue la encuesta y la observación directa y luego de obtener las muestras biológicas, la detección de parásitos intestinales se realizó mediante el método de coproparasitario en muestras heces. Los resultados evidencian presencia de protozoos en un 92.5% de las muestras estudiadas, mientras que el 7.5% presentan helmintos; mientras que el 40% de los estudios revelan quistes de endolimax nana, detectándose en el 25% de la muestra de los trabajadores de sexo masculino y con una presencia del 15% en los trabajadores del sexo femenino. Por lo que se recomienda realizar el examen coproparasitario al menos dos veces al año y paralelamente fortalecer las estrategias de promoción y prevención(AU)

Infections with intestinal parasites are of constant occurrence and are associated with non-compliance with health measures by the population. The objective of this research was to establish the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis by protozoa and helminths in la workers IRose flower farm of the province of Pichincha-Canton Pedro Moncayo through the coproparasitario examination carried out in august 2019. It corresponded to a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. The population was composed of 88 people, who are workers of the floricultural iRose, Province of Pichincha, canton Pedro Moncayo, distributed as follows: 49 male and 39 female workers. The data collection technique used was survey and direct observation and after obtaining biological samples, detection of intestinal parasites was performed using the coproparasitario method in fecal samples. The results showed the presence of protozoa in 92.5% of the samples studied, while 7.5% showed helminths; while 40% of studies reveal endolimax nana cysts, being detected in 25% of the sample of male workers and with a presence of 15% in female workers. Therefore, it is recommended to perform the coproparasitario examination less twice a year and in parallel strengthen strategies promotion and prevention(AU)

Novel Linezolid analogues with antiparasitic activity against Hymenolepis nana.

The stereoselective synthesis and anti- Hymenolepis nana activity of six Linezolid-type compounds, obtained by chemical modification of l-Alanine, are reported in this work. The synthetic strategy was to prepare diasteromeric N,N-dibenzylamino oxazolidinones 1 and 2, and coupling with 4-(4-bromophenyl)morpholine (3) to obtain N,N-dibenzylamino Linezolid analogues 4 and 5. A hydrogenolysis reaction over 4 and 5 resulted in amino-free Linezolid analogues 6 and 7, which were acetylated to reach diasteromeric Linezolid analogues 8 and 9. The six Linezolid analogues 4-9 show in vitro antiparasitic activity against Hymenolepis nana cestode, but not against several bacterial strains. Interestingly, compounds 6, 7 and 9 exhibit high potency, having shorter paralysis and death times after exposure (6-10 and 18-21 min, respectively), shorter than those found with antihelmintic compound Praziquantel (20 and 30 min) at 20 mg/mL. In addition, a cytocompatibility assay of 6-9 with human cells (ARPE-19 cells) demonstrate a non-cytotoxic effect at 0.4 mM. These results show the pharmacological potential of the newly reported Linezolid-type analogues as antiparasitic agents against Hymenolepis nana.

Zoonotic Helminthiases in Rodents (Bandicota indica, Bandicota savilei, and Leopoldamys edwardsi) from Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

Zoonotic helminths of three rodent species, Bandicota indiaca, Bandicota savilei, and Leopoldamys edwardsi, were investigated in Vientiane capital, Lao PDR. A total of 310 rodents were infected with 11 species of helminth parasites. There were 168 (54.2%) of 310 rodents infected with zoonotic helminths. From our results, there are six recorded zoonotic helminth species, and the highest prevalence was exhibited by Raillietina sp. (30.7%), followed by Hymenolepis diminuta (17.7%), Hymenolepis nana (2.6%), Echinostoma ilocanum (1.9%), Echinostoma malayanum (1.3%), and Angiostrongylus cantonensis (1%). This is the first study of zoonotic helminths in L. edwardsi and the first report of H. diminuta, H. nana, E. ilocanum, and E. malayanum in Bandicota indica and B. savilei, and the first demonstration of A. cantonenensis in B. indica in Lao PDR. From our results, these three rodents are potentially important reservoir hosts of zoonotic helminths. Thus, effective control programs should be considered for implementation to prevent the transmission of these zoonoses in this area.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation among Public School Children of a Community.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infestation is one of the major health problems in developing countries like Nepal. This study was done to determine the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infestation among school children in Duwakot VDC, Bhaktapur, Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 194 public school children of Duwakot village development committee from August to October, 2019. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (reference no. 1207201915). Simple random sampling was done. One hundred and ninety-four public school children individuals of 6 to 14 years of age were enrolled. Collected stools were examined for the presence of parasites macroscopically and microscopically. Microscopic examination was carried out by direct wet mount using normal saline (0.9%) and Lugol's iodine (0.5%) mount. The data obtained were computed and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 194 stool samples were collected from school children and examined. The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 26 (13.40%). The commonest organism was Giardia lamblia in 22 (11.34%) cases. Among helminthic infection, 2 (1.03%) cases each were infected by Hymenolepis nana and Hookworm respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infestation in Nepal shows considerable decline in recent years. However, more effort is required by public health resources to minimize the problem further.

Intestinal parasitosis, anaemia and risk factors among pre-school children in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and anaemia are major health problems. This study assessed the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, anaemia and associated factors among pre-school children in rural areas of the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 610 pre-school children in rural communities of Northern Ethiopia from June 2017 to August 2017. Stool specimens were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, oocysts, and ova using direct, formal-ethyl acetate concentration, Kato-Katz, and Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. Haemoglobin was measured using a HemoCue spectrometer. RESULTS: Among the 610 participating pre-school children in the study, the prevalence of IPIs and anaemia were 58% (95% conference interval (CI): 54.1-61.9%) and 21.6% (95% CI: 18.5-25.1%), respectively. Single, double, and triple parasitic infections were seen in 249 (41, 95% CI: 37-45%), 83 (14, 95% CI: 11-17%), and 22 (3.6, 95% CI: 2.4-5.4%) children, respectively. Of the seven intestinal parasitic organisms recorded from the participants, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent 220 (36.1%) followed by Giardia lamblia 128 (20.1%), and Hymenolepis nana 102 (16.7%). Mixed infections were common among G. lamblia, E. histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst. Intestinal parasitic infection prevalence increased from 47% in children aged 6-11 months to 66% in those aged 48-59 months; the prevalence ratio (PR) associated with a one-year increase in age was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.14, p = 0.009). Age-adjusted prevalence was higher in children who had been dewormed (PR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.00-1.4, p = 0.045), and lower in households having two or more children aged under five (PR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.95, p = 0.015). Anaemia rose from 28% in children aged 6-11 months to 43% in those aged 12-23 months, then fell continuously with age, reaching 7% in those aged 48-59 months. Age adjusted, anaemia was more prevalent in households using proper disposal of solid waste (PR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.1-2.10, p = 0.009) while eating raw meat (PR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.45-0.54, p = 0.000), any maternal education (PR = 0.64 95% CI: 0.52-0.79, p = 0.000), and household water treatment (PR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.56-1.0, p = 0.044) were associated with lower prevalence of anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the children were infected with intestinal parasites, while anaemia prevalence was concentrated in the 12-23 month age group. This study has identified a number of potentially modifiable risk factors to address the significant prevalence of IPIs and anaemia in these children. Improvements in sanitation, clean water, hand hygiene, maternal education could address both short and long-term consequences of these conditions in this vulnerable population.

Morphological, Molecular, and Pathological Appraisal of Hymenolepis nana (Hymenolepididae) Infecting Laboratory Mice (Mus musculus).

Hymenolepis nana, typically a parasite found in conventionally established mouse colonies, has zoonotic potential characterized by autoinfection and direct life cycle. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of parasite infection in laboratory mice. The hymenolepidide cestode infected 40% of the 50 mice sampled. The rate of infection in males (52%) was higher than in females (28%). Morphological studies on the cestode parasite showed that worms had a globular scolex with four suckers, a retractable rostellum with 20-30 hooks, and a short unsegmented neck. In addition, the remaining strobila consisted of immature, mature, and gravid proglottids, irregularly alternating genital pores, lobulated ovaries, postovarian vitelline glands, and uteri with up to 200 eggs in their gravid proglottids. The parasite taxonomy was confirmed by using molecular characterization based on the sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOX1) gene. The parasite recovered was up to 80% identical to other species in GenBank. High blast scores and low divergence were noted between the isolated parasite and previously described H. nana (gb| AP017666.1). The phylogenetic analysis using the COX1 sequence places this hymenolepidid species of the order Cyclophyllidea.

Morphological and molecular identification of hymenolepidid cestodes in children and synanthropic rodents from rural Mexico.

Hymenolepidid cestodes of synanthropic rodents represent a risk for public health. In order to describe the occurrence of hymenolepidids in children and the role of rodents as a potential source of infection, we conducted a morphological and molecular survey on cestodes in two rural villages from Yucatan, Mexico. One hundred and thirty-five stool samples from children (64 from Paraíso and 71 from Xkalakdzonot), 233 Mus musculus (159 from Paraíso and 74 from Xkalakdzonot) and 125 Rattus rattus (7 from Paraíso and 118 from Xkalakdzonot) were analyzed for the presence of cestodes. Three hymenolepidid species were identified morphologically: Hymenolepis nana in 7.8% of children from Paraíso, Hymenolepis microstoma in 4.4% of M. musculus from Paraíso and Hymenolepis diminuta in 15.3% of R. rattus from Xkalakdzonot. The molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit 1 (CO1) gene and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, confirmed the identity of the three cestodes isolated from Yucatan. Phylogeny of the CO1 gene identified intraspecific genetic differences within H. nana ranging from 0 to 5%, in H. microstoma from 0 to 0.4%, and in H. diminuta ranged from 0 to 6.5% which suggests, the presence of complex species within H. nana and H. diminuta infecting humans and rodents, as reported by other authors. Based on the morphological and molecular results, and the epidemiological evidence, infections with H. nana suggest a non-zoonotic transmission; however, the presence of H. microstoma and H. diminuta in synanthropic rodents serve as a possible source for human infection.

The dwarf tapeworm Hymenolepis nana in pet rodents in Slovakia-epidemiological survey and genetic analysis.

Rodents are popular companion animals and are often kept as pets for children. However, they can be reservoirs of a variety of zoonotic pathogens. As little attention is being paid to the possibility of acquiring parasitic infections from pet rodents, the occurrence of Hymenolepis nana in rodents from pet shops and breeding clubs of Slovakia was surveyed, with parallel genetic analyses to type isolates from rodent species. In 2016-2018, pooled faecal samples from 119 boxes with 228 mice, 191 rats, 124 hamsters and 25 Mongolian gerbils were collected from 12 pet shops and 3 breeding clubs in five cities of eastern Slovakia. H. nana eggs were detected in 25 (21.0%) boxes. Animals from pet shops were infected more frequently (24.6% positive boxes) than those from breeding clubs (17.2%), without statistical significance. The highest prevalence was recorded in rats from pet shops, where 41.7% of boxes contained parasite eggs. Hamsters and mice in pet shops were also frequently infected; in 23.8% and 25% of boxes, respectively, H. nana eggs were observed. Prevalence in rats and hamsters from breeding clubs was lower, but in mice surpassed 40%. Nine samples with positive PCR products in any of the four DNA regions, mitochondrial cox1 and nuclear pmy, ITS1 and ITS2 targets, gave profiles characteristic of H. nana. The results imply the risk of zoonotic transmission of hymenolepiasis in Slovakia. Particular attention should be given to hygiene level maintained while keeping rodents. Furthermore, rodents intended for sale should be tested for parasites and then dewormed.

Contaminación enteroparasitaria de intercomunicadores en edificios de Barquisimeto y Cabudare, Venezuela / Enteroparites contamination of intercoms in buildings of Barquisimeto and Cabudare, Venezuela

Resumen Introducción. La falta de estudios en intercomunicadores como medios de propagación de enteroparásitos en Venezuela, motivó el presente estudio. Metodología. Se frotó el intercomunicador tres veces con un hisopo impregnado con solución salina 0,85% (SSI), resuspendiéndolo en un tubo con 10 ml de SSI, el cual se centrifugó a 3000 rpm por 10 minutos para luego observar el sedimente al microscopio. Resultados. El 65% de las muestras estuvieron contaminadas, encontrando 10 taxones de enteroparásitos, a saber: Blastocystis sp (49% del total de muestras examinadas), Endolimax nana (36%), lodamoeba butschlii (8%), Giardia lamblia (7%), Entamoeba coli (4%), Chilomastix mesnili (2%), Entamoeba hartmanni (2%), Trichuris trichiura (2%), Hymenolepis nana (2%) y Taenia sp (1%). Discusión. La diversidad de parásitos encontrados y su abundancia, se corresponden con lo reportado en poblaciones de la misma zona. Conclusión. La falta de higiene en la mayoría de los intercomunicadores facilitan el potencial de estos para transmitir los parásitos endémicos del estado Lara.

Abstract Introduction. The lack of studies in intercoms as means of propagation of enteroparasites in Venezuela, motivated the present study. Methodology. The intercom was rubbed three times with a swab impregnated with 0.85% saline solution (SSI), resuspending it in a tube with 10 ml of SSI, which was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to then observe the pellet under a microscope. Results. 65% of the samples were contaminated, finding 10 taxa of enteroparasites, namely: Blastocystis sp (49% of the samples examined), Endolimax nana (36%), Iodamoeba butschlii (8%), Giardia lamblia (7%), Entamoeba coli (4%), Chilomastix mesnili (2%), Entamoeba hartmanni (2%), Trichuris trichiura (2%), Hymenolepis nana (2%) and Taenia sp (1%). Discussion. The diversity of parasites found and their abundance correspond to that reported in populations of the same area. Conclusion. The lack of hygiene of most of the intercoms facilitates the potential of these to transmit the endemic parasites of the Lara State.

The immune response to Hymenolepis nana in mice decreases tumorigenesis induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz-anthracene.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a high-impact disease throughout the world. A negative correlation has been established between the development of cancer and the Th2 immune response. Infection by helminth parasites is characterized by the induction of a strong and long-lasting Th2 response. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the immune response induced by the infection with the helminth Hymenolepis nana, on the tumorigenesis induced by dimethylbenz-anthracene (DMBA) in mice. METHODOLOGY: Four different groups of 14 female BALB/c mice were formed; Group A, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (vehicle) was administered cutaneously, Group B infected with H. nana, group C, cutaneously DMBA and finally Group D infected with H. nana and cutaneous DMBA. The tumor load was determined in those animals that developed cancerous lesions. In all groups were determined: serum concentration of IgE, IFNγ, IL-10, IL-5 and malondialdehyde (MDA). The inflammatory infiltrate was analyzed from skin samples and the expression of the main eosinophilic protein and myeloperoxidase was determined. RESULTS: The group previously infected with H. nana had a reduced amount of tumors with smaller size, in comparison to the group that received only DMBA; this reduction was associated with lower levels of IFNγ and IL-10, while levels of IgE, IL-5 and MDA were higher. Further, the number of eosinophils and neutrophils was statistically higher in the animals that were previously infected with the helminth and developed less tumors. CONCLUSION: The immune response induced by H. nana infection is associated with the reduction of tumors probably due to the activity of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Molecular characterization of Hymenolepis nana based on nuclear rDNA ITS2 gene marker.

INTRODUCTION: Hymenolepis nana is a zoonotic tapeworm with widespread distribution. The goal of the present study was to identify the parasite in the specimens collected from NorthWestern regions of Iran using PCR-sequencing method. METHODS: A total of 1521 stool samples were collected from the study individuals. Initially, the identification of hymenolepis nana was confirmed by parasitological method including direct wet-mount and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods. Afterward, PCR-sequencing analysis of ribosomal ITS2 fragment was targeted to investigate the molecular identification of the parasite. RESULTS: Overall, 0.65% (10/1521) of the isolates were contaminated with H. nana in formalin-ethyl acetate concentration. All ten isolates were succefully amplified by PCR and further sequenced. The determined sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers MH337810 -MH337819. CONCLUSION: Our results clarified the presence of H. nana among the patients in the study areas. In addition, the molecular technique could be accessible when the human eggs are the only sources available to identify and diagnose the parasite.