Occurrence of Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) in road-killed canids of Iran and its public health implication.

Dioctophyme renale, is the largest of parasitic nematodes, which infects different species of fish-eating carnivores worldwide. The northern provinces of Iran (Guilan and Mazandaran) located in south of the Caspian Sea are suitable for parasitic infections due to the mild and humid climatic conditions. From separate surveys of road-killed canids in various parts of the Caspian Sea littoral area in Iran, 70 carcasses were collected along the roads of Guilan and Mazandaran from 2015 to 2017. Dioctophyme renale detected by direct observation and molecular methods based on Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1 gene) sequencing analysis. Molecular investigation was also performed to validate prevalence and reduce false negative concerns. Dioctophyme renale was found in eight of 70 carnivores, mostly in the right kidneys, as well as two cases in the abdominal cavity of a dog and a golden jackal. More carcasses on the roads were seen with lacerated internal organs. Given the frequent number of giant kidney worms in canids in the region, the transmission of this zoonotic helminth to humans seems possible, since the area is a tourism hub in the country. The infection burden of this helminth should be investigated using DNA analysis of kidney tissue of road-killed carnivores in Iran.

Prevalence of strongyloidiasis in the general population of the world: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a neglected soil-transmitted helminth affects approximately 100-370 million people globally. The life cycle is unusual as only larvae can be found in stool specimens. Thecurrent review and meta-analysis represented the distribution of strongyloidiasis in general population of the world based on published papers. Five English databases (Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar(were explored for literature published before October 2019.Altogether 235 studies (862243 participants) was eligible. Regarding diagnostic method, the overall prevalence for studies performed microscopic, culture, immunological and molecular method was 1.47% (95% CI = 1.56%), 10.08% (95% CI = 8.99% - 11.16%), 23.88% (95% CI =  20.82% - 26.94%) and 9.3% (95% CI  =  7.2% - 11.3%), respectively. Based on microscopic methods, the highest prevalence was related to the Western Pacific region [9.47% (95% CI =  8.55% - 10.39%)]. According to the culture method, Western Pacific region [21.36% (95% CI  =  16.32% - 26.39%)] had the highest estimated pooled prevalence. In immunological studies, Eastern Mediterranean Region [40.72% (95% CI  =  36.74% - 44.70%)] had the highest seroprevalence.Also in molecular surveys, the highest prevalence was related to the African region [19.72% (95% CI  =  16.71% - 22.73%)]. The current study indicated that strongyloidiasis is still considered a health problem in many parts of the world. Thus a comprehensive control program and improvement of public health sectors are required.

Naltrexone; as an efficient adjuvant in induction of Th1 immunity and protection against Fasciola hepatica infection.

Toxic effects of available therapeutics are major drawbacks for conventional management approaches in parasitic infections. Vaccines have provided a promising opportunity to obviate such unwanted complications. In present study, we examined immune augmenting capacities of an emerging adjuvant, Naltrexone, against Fasciola hepatica infection in BALB/c mice. Seventy BALB/c mice were divided into five experimental groups (14 mice per group) including 1- control (received PBS), 2- vaccine (immunized with F. hepatica E/S antigens), 3- Alum-vaccine (immunized with Alum adjuvant and E/S antigens), 4- NLT-vaccine (immunized with NLT adjuvant and E/S antigens), and 5- Alum-NLT-vaccine (immunized with mixed Alum-NLT adjuvant and E/S antigens). Lymphocyte stimulation index was assessed by MTT assay. Production of IFN-γ, IL-4, IgG2a and IgG1 was assessed by ELISA method. Results showed that NLT, either alone or in combination with alum, can induce immune response toward production of IFN-γ and IgG2a as representatives of Th1 immune response. Also, using this adjuvant in immunization experiment was associated with significantly high proliferative response of splenocytes/lymphocytes. Utilization of mixed Alum-NLT adjuvant revealed the highest protection rate (73.8%) in challenge test of mice infected with F. hepatica. These findings suggest the potential role of NLT as an effective adjuvant in induction of protective cellular and Th1 immune responses against fasciolosis.