RESUMO
Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are a major cause of disease and production loss in livestock. Some have zoonotic potential, so production animals can be a source of human infections. We describe the prevalence of GIP in domestic mammals in Southeastern Iran. Fresh fecal samples (n = 200) collected from cattle (n = 88), sheep (n = 50), goats (n = 23), camels (n = 30), donkeys (n = 5), horse (n = 1), and dogs (n = 3) were subjected to conventional coprological examination for the detection of protozoan (oo)cysts and helminth ova. Overall, 83% (166/200) of the samples were positive for one or more GIP. Helminths were found in dogs, donkeys, sheep (42%), camels (37%), goats (30%), and cattle (19%), but not in the horse. Protozoa were found in cattle (82%), goats (78%), sheep (60%), and camels (13%), but not in donkeys, dogs, or the horse. Lambs were 3.5 times more likely to be infected by protozoa than sheep (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.05-11.66), whereas sheep were at higher odds of being infected by helminths than lambs (OR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.06-16.59). This is the first study assessing the prevalence of GIP in domestic mammals in Southeastern Iran.
RESUMO
Background: Studies on experimental model of cancer showed that hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) has antitumor activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of HCF and Antigen B (AgB) on 4T1 breast tumor cells in BALB/c mice. Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Parasitology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran from 2019 to 2020. There were two control groups of BALB/c mice (one group were injected with aluminum sulfate and another group with PBS), and six groups, injected via the intraperitoneal route with 100, 300 and 500 µg/ml concentrations of HCF, AgB diluted in 100 µl PBS, and alum. Seven days after the last treatment, 7×105 4T1 cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of BALB/c mice. Results: The difference between the mean size of the tumor in the case and control groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean level of cytokines between the case and control groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Our histo-pathological studies showed a reduction in both tumor volume and carcinogenesis in groups injected with 300 µg/ml HCF and 500 µg/ml AgB. The antitumor activity of HCF and AgB may be related to the immune responses against these antigens. Conclusion: We suggest that polarization of the Th1/Th2 ratio toward the Th1 pathway occurred in groups injected with HCF and AgB. More comprehensive and precise experiments using different hydatid cyst components are required to investigate their prophylactic effects on breast cancer.
RESUMO
Hydatid cyst is a neglected zoonotic infection that is transmitted by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. It is widely distributed around the world and also it is endemic in many developing countries such as Iran. The aim of the current study is an assessment of the surgical cases in the general population of Alborz Province in Iran. The surgical cases of cystic echinococcosis were studied in the Educational and Therapeutic Centers or hospitals related to Alborz University of Medical Sciences from 2014 to 2019. Out of 26 records from patients with hydatid cyst surgery, 15 (57.7%) were female and 11 (42.3 %) were male. The age range was between 15-70 years old. The most infected organ was liver 21 (80.8%) followed by lungs 4 (15.4%) and one case of pelvic cyst 1 (3.8%). Based on residential status, 61.4% and 38.6% were living in rural and urban areas, respectively. The most and the least groups effected by hydatid cyst were housewives (38.46%) and employees (7.69%), accordingly. Twelve (46.15%) patients stated had a history of contact with dog. The prevalence of hydatid cyst in Alborz Province confirmed the importance of a proper protection plan against infection and it must be under control in main hosts. However, there is lack of data on status of parasitic infections in stray dogs in current region, as they play a key role in the transmission of the hydatid disease to humans.