First molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Neospora caninum DNA from naturally infected goats in Northwest Tunisia.

Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa, mainly associated with abortions and causing enormous economic losses. We aimed, by the present study, to estimate the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analyses of natural infection with N. caninum in Tunisian goats. A total number of 121 meat samples were collected from slaughtered goats in the regional slaughterhouse of Béja (Northwest Tunisia) and tested from N. caninum ITS1 gene using PCR followed by sequencing of PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were used to identify this parasite infecting goats in Nortwest Tunisia. The overall molecular prevalence was 19% (23/121). The highest molecular prevalence of N. caninum was observed in goats aged between 2 and 4 years (31.9 ± 13.27%) (P = 0.004). There was no difference in the overall molecular prevalence of N. caninum according to both localities and animal breeds. Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene revealed 99-100% similarity with GenBank sequences. A high similarity with all the blasted genotypes was reported for N. caninum sequences. This is the first molecular study and genetic characterisation of N. caninum in North African goats.

Sarcocystis masoni, n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae), and redescription of Sarcocystis aucheniae from llama (Lama glama), guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

There is considerable confusion concerning the species of Sarcocystis in South American camelids (SAC). Several species names have been used; however, proper descriptions are lacking. In the present paper, we redescribe the macroscopic sarcocyst forming Sarcocystis aucheniae and describe and propose a new name, Sarcocystis masoni for the microscopic sarcocyst forming species. Muscles samples were obtained from llamas (Lama glama) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) from Argentina and from alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas from Peru. Individual sarcocysts were processed by optical and electron microscopy, and molecular studies. Microscopic sarcocysts of S. masoni were up to 800 µm long and 35-95 µm wide, the sarcocyst wall was 2·5-3·5 µm thick, and had conical to cylindrical villar protrusions (vp) with several microtubules. Each vp had 11 or more rows of knob-like projections. Seven 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained from sarcocysts revealed 95-96% identity with other Sarcocystis spp. sequences reported in the GenBank. Sarcocysts of S. aucheniae were macroscopic, up to 1·2 cm long and surrounded by a dense and laminar 50 µm thick secondary cyst wall. The sarcocyst wall was up to 10 µm thick, and had branched vp, appearing like cauliflower. Comparison of the 11 sequences obtained from individual macroscopic cysts evidenced a 98-99% of sequence homology with other S. aucheniae sequences. In conclusion, 2 morphologically and molecularly different Sarcocystis species, S. masoni (microscopic cysts) and S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts), were identified affecting different SAC from Argentina and Peru.

Evaluation of ELISA, neck muscle, tongue and eyelid examinations for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis in a highly endemic area of north India.

Swine cysticercosis is very common in the developing countries where pigs are raised. Undercooked measly pork consumption leads to taeniasis; Taenia carriers act as source of human and swine cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. Diagnosis of swine cysticercosis is important to break the cycle of disease transmission. The present study compared the neck muscle, tongue and eye examinations, and serum ELISA with different preparations (crude lysate, cyst fluid, scolex and cyst wall antigens) of Taenia solium cyst for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. Total of 24 pigs initially identified by neck muscle, tongue and eyelid examinations were purchased from local slaughter house and subjected to MRI for confirmation of cysticercosis. Sera from 20 MRI confirmed infected pigs and 50 disease free controls were subjected to ELISA with T. solium cyst antigens. Neck muscle examination was 100% sensitive and 75% specific for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis, whereas tongue and eye examinations were 70% and 25% sensitive, respectively. ELISA with crude lysate had 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity. ELISA with cyst fluid, scolex and cyst wall antigens showed 70%, 65%, and 45% sensitivity, respectively. The present study showed that neck muscle examination was highly sensitive but less specific, while ELISA with crude antigens had reasonable sensitivity and high specificity for diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. ELISA with crude lysate can be used as a screening tool for swine infection.

Primary hydatid cyst presenting as a mass in the supraclavicular region: an unusual case report and literature review.

Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcosis or hydatidosis, is an infectious disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common Echinococcus species affecting human beings. It may affect any organ and tissue in the body, in particular the liver and lung. Musculoskeletal or soft tissue hydatidosis accounts for about 0.5%-5% of all echinococcal infections in endemic areas, and is almost always secondary to the hepatic or pulmonary disease. Even in regions where echinococcosis is endemic, hydatidosis of cervicofacial region is extremely rare. Herein, we present an exceptionally rare case with an unusual localization of primary hydatid cyst in the right supraclavicular region of the neck without involvement of the lungs or pleura.

Primary cyst hydatid in the neck; report of one case.

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease that has been recognized endemically in many countries. Although the liver and lung are the most common organs involved by the disease, it may appear rarely in other tissues as a primary disease. In the ultrasonography of the neck taken from a 17 year old case who attended with a complaint of swelling in the neck, a partly regular, bounded cystic lesion of 33x28 mm in size was reported. When the cyst was thought to be hydatid during surgical exploration, this diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological verification of the specimen obtained. Whole abdomen ultrasonography and PA Chest Radiography were taken in order to determine whether there was another focus during the postoperative period. The Echinococcus ELISA test was performed as an immunological parameter. Treatment with Albendazole began after diagnosis during the postoperative period. Although hydatid cyst most commonly involves the liver and lung, it may be detected in all body tissues. Therefore hydatid cyst must be considered in the differential diagnosis in cystic lesions that are rarely encountered in body localizations in human, living in endemic regions.

Incidental trichinellosis of strap muscle identified after thyroglossal duct cyst excision.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Present a unique case of a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) excised for recurrent infections with Trichinella spiralis in adjacent strap muscle; (2) review the literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of subclinical trichinellosis of the head and neck. STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: We present the case of a male immigrant who suffered from recurrent midline neck infections due to aTGDC. The patient underwent an uneventful Sistrunk procedure. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a chronically infected TGDC as well as remnants of skeletal muscle adjacent to the cyst containing nematode larvae, positively identified as Trichinella spiralis. The patient was subsequently evaluated by an infectious disease specialist and required no further treatment for his parasitic infection. DISCUSSION: The presence of nematode infections in developed countries is rare today given improved hygiene practices and control of meat quality. We present a unique case of incidentally noted Trichinella spiralis infection of the head and neck. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of trichinellosis of strap muscle adjacent to an excised TGDC and furthermore highlights the rarity of Trichinella spiralis infections of the head and neck. CONCLUSIONS: Trichinella spiralis may exist subclinically in a variety of human tissues including neck muscles.

Mylohyoid cysticercosis: a rare submandibular mass.

Cysticercosis is endemic in developing countries such as India. This infection is acquired via ingestion of cysticerci, the larvae of the Taenia solium (tapeworm, or cestode), in uncooked/undercooked pork or fecally contaminated food or water. Although skeletal muscle commonly harbors the cysticerci, we report a case in which they had infested the mylohyoid muscle in the floor of mouth, a site that has not been mentioned previously in the literature.

[Human hydatidosis: advances and report of four paediatric cases with unusual presentation]. / Idatidosi umana: recenti acquisizioni e descrizione di quattro casi pediatrici a sede inusuale.

Human hydatid disease due to Echinococcus granulosus is frequently observed in Italy, especially in the central and southern areas and on the islands. In the last twenty years some major advances in the field of epidemiology as well as diagnostic and therapeutical approaches have changed our knowledge of this disease. In Italy, localization in the liver, kidney or peritoneum accounts for about 95% of cases. The authors describe four paediatric cases with unusual localization (kidney and muscle), highlighting difficulties in the diagnosis.

Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in water buffaloes in Vietnam.

Muscles from heart, tongue, oesophagus, neck and abdomen from 502 adult water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) slaughtered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between 1996 and 1997 were examined for Sarcocystis cysts by a combination of ocular and histological examination. Sarcocysts were present in 396 (79%) of the animals and the prevalence increased with age from a 57% infection rate among 2-3 year old animals to 93% among 6-7 year olds. The prevalence was higher in animals originating from the northern part (89%) than in those from the southern part (69%) of the country. Four species of Sarcocystis were identified. S. levinei (74%) was the most common species found, followed by S. fusiformis (41%), S. buffalonis (33%) and S. dubeyi (12%). All four species were present in 8% of the infected animals. The most common site for sarcocyst location was oesophagus, followed by cervical muscles, tongue and heart.

[Human coenurosis. Localization to the sternocleidomastoid muscle]. / La cénurose humaine. Localisation au muscle sterno-cleido mastoïdien.

Coenurosis, a parasitic affection rarely observed in man, is due to the presence in the tissues of larval forms of Taenias that live in certain domestic or wild carnivorous animals during their adult stage. The disease was confirmed in a young Senegalese patient after surgical excision of a cyst from the lateral side of the neck. Pathological and epidemiological data suggest that the affection is due to Taenia serialis serialis.