Molecular Identification of Fasciola Isolated from the Liver of Meat Animals in Fars Province, Iran.

Background: Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica are flatworms that infect animals and humans. Fasciola is the parasite of the liver or bile ducts and intestines of mammals, where such animals are known as their "definite hosts." The study aims to detect the genotype of Fasciola spp. from the livers of meat animals by using RFLP-PCR in samples collected from Fars province. Methods: Sixty Fasciola spp. samples were collected from infected slaughtered animals in three counties of Fars province, Iran (Jahrom, Nourabad Mamasani, and Kazeroun).Genomic DNA was extracted by the conventional phenol-chloroform method. For the study, PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis of the first nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region from Fasciola species were used to conduct the study. Results: The fragment of about 700 bp in all the Fasciola samples was amplified. In total, 43 samples of Fasciola gigantica and 17 samples of Fasciola hepatica were identified. Conclusion: The dominant Fasciola species in this region is Fasciola gigantica. Hence, it seems that hygienic policies should be developed to prevent and control fascioliasis because of the dominant species, Fasciola gigantica.

High occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the water samples of public swimming pools from Kerman Province, Iran.

Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living amoeba that can cause major infections in humans, including keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis. Thus, water resources play an important role in transmitting Acanthamoeba spp. infection to humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from three cities of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Eighty water samples of 20 public indoor swimming pools were taken from Kerman, Jiroft, and Kahnauj cities. Water temperature (°C), pH, and free chlorine concentration (ppm) were measured. Filtration and cultivation were applied on non-nutrient agar medium. The polymerase chain reaction was applied by using the genus-specific primers (JDP1 and JDP2) on positive samples; these primers can amplify the 423-551 bp fragment. Eighteen of the 20 swimming pools (including 32/80; 40% samples) were contaminated with Acanthamoeba spp. All swimming pools of Jiroft and Kahnauj and 88.2% of swimming pools in Kerman were contaminated. As such, all 32 Acanthamoeba isolates were amplified using the JDP primer pairs. Two genotypes, T3 and T4, were also identified. The present research is the first to report Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from Kerman Province. Due to high occurrence of this protozoan, it is recommended to use warning signs around swimming pools to create awareness of this infection.

Leishmaniasis and Trace Element Alterations: a Systematic Review.

Leishmaniasis is a worldwide prevalent parasitic infection caused by different species of the genus Leishmania. Clinically, the disease divided into three main forms, including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). There is no vaccine for human leishmaniasis and their treatment is challenging. Trace elements (TEs) alteration, including the selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), ron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) have been detected in patients with CL and VL as well as canine leishmaniasis. Because TEs play a pivotal role in the immune system, and host immune responses have crucial roles in defense against leishmaniasis, this systematic review aimed to summarize data regarding TEs alteration in human and animal leishmaniasis as well as the role of these elements as an adjuvant for treatment of leishmaniasis. In a setting of systematic review, we found 29 eligible articles (any date until October 1, 2020) regarding TEs in human CL (N = 12), human VL (N = 4), canine leishmaniasis (N = 3), and treatment of leishmaniasis based on TEs (N = 11), which one study examined the TEs level both in CL and VL patients. Our analysis demonstrated a significantly decreased level of Fe, Zn, and Se among human CL and canine leishmaniasis, and Zn and Fe in patients with VL. In contrast, an increased level of Cu in CL patients and Cu and Mg in VL patients and canine leishmaniasis was observed. Treatment of CL based zinc supplementation revealed enhancement of wound healing and diminished scar formation in human and experimentally infected animals. The results of this systematic review indicate that the TEs have important roles in leishmaniasis, which could be assessed as a prognosis factor in this disease. It is suggested that TEs could be prescribed as an adjuvant for the treatment of CL and VL patients.

The epidemiology and medical care costs of Echinococcus granulosusis in Jahrom, southern Iran from 2007 to 2017.

Background: Echinococcus granulosus is a rare parasitic infection causing Cystic Echinococcosis, which can be dangerous due to involving the body. This parasitic infection is a significant health problem in Iran. However, little is known about this disease, specifically in Jahrom city; thus, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and the economic impact of the illness. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the files of 137 patients who were under the care, and treatment of the final diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis were evaluated by reviewing the information such as age, gender, occupation, place of residence was collected, and analyzed. Results: Human cystic echinococcosis cases were more common in females, 57.2% (12 patients) and 42.8% (9 patients) were male. In terms of age, most patients (23.8%) were in the age range from 21 to 30 years. The chief complaint at diagnosis, in all cases, was abdominal pain. Besides, 71.42% of the cases had the liver involvement alone, 9.52% had the lung involvement alone, 9.52% had a co-infection of liver and lung, and 4.74% had the kidney involvement alone. Conclusions: The results of the present study are beneficial in determining the disease status and the epidemiology of hydatid cyst in this area.

A Declining Trend of Leishmaniasis Based on Previous Data in Larstan, South of Iran 2007-2017.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a unicellular of the Leishmania type, and 0.7 to 1.2 million people are annually infected by Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Larestan is one of the southern cities of Fars Province. Every year, some issues of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis are reported from Larestan. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Larestan from 2007 to 2017. METHODOLOGY: The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study which is carried out in Larestan. The study population consists of those people who are infected by Cutaneous Leishmaniasis during 2007 to 2017 and are referred to health care centers. The methodology and data collection are done based on the recorded information. RESULTS: Among 4,965 Cutaneous Leishmaniasis infected patients who referred to health care centers of Larestan, 2407 patients (48.47%) are males and 2558 patients (51.53%) are females. In the ten-year time period of the study, 1,315 (26.6%) were infected to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in 2010. The maximum infected group consisted of 1,303 patients ranging from 0-5 years old, and the minimum infected group consisted of 90 patients ranging from 55-60 years old. DISCUSSION: This study showed that female subjects were more polluted in Larestan city. There is also a significant relationship between age and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Finally, it was found that the disease in the city of Larestan has been decreasing.

Genetic Diversity in C-terminal of SERA5 Gene in the Blood Stage of Human Isolates of Plasmodium vivax in Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Vivax malaria is more prevalent in the malarious areas of Iran, which makes vaccine research a high priority. Serine Repeat Antigens (SERA) have essential role in the parasite life cycle and high expression profiles of PvSERA5 make it suitable vaccine candidates. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of C-terminal region of PvSERA5 in Iranian isolates of Plasmodium vivax in Sistan and Baluchistan. METHODS: Totally, 49 blood samples were taken from symptomatic malaria patients in Sistan and Baluchistan Province in 2016. Mono-infection to P. vivax was confirmed by 18srRNA-Nested-PCR. Genomic DNA was extracted and C-terminal region of PvSERA5 was amplified by specific primers. PCR-products have been sequenced and analysis was done by using bioinformatics software, mainly DnaSP & MEGA5. RESULTS: Genetic diversity was calculated 14.8% in C-terminal region of PvSERA5 in Iranian isolates, 19 different sequences and 4 haplotypes existed. The amount of Tajima's D (0.3805) and ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutation (1.82) showed that C-terminal region of PvSERA5 is under positive natural selection; also intragenic recombination could interfere. CONCLUSION: Results could be helpful in any research, regarding this antigen as vaccine candidate in Iran or worldwide.