Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei , Zahra Arab Mazar, Davood Yadegarnia, Simin Rajaeian, Shirzad Fallahi,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2018)
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common disease among humans and animals, that is caused by the infection of the intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Infection by this parasite is generally without any clinical symptoms, but it can have severe effects in people with immune deficiency, such as those experiencing chemotherapy, transplantation, cancer and AIDS, as well as dialysis patients. Considering the high prevalence of parasites in different parts of Iran, we decided to study the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis patients, in selected centers of Tehran.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 260 hemodialysis patients attending 5 dialysis centers in Tehran in 2016 were studied. The serum samples were analyzed for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgG antibodies by the ELISA method.
Results: In this study, 175 (67.3%) of the hemodialysis patients tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and 18 (7%) tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies.
Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis patients in Tehran compared to other control people in this region, and considering the fact that this infection is one of the most important risk factors in hemodialysis patients, regular screening and detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii is necessary in these patients.
Hadi Mirahmadi, Shirzad Fallahi,
Volume 20, Issue 4 (1-2019)
Abstract
Background: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases, and is considered one of the important health issues in tropical and subtropical countries. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and type of infection of Anopheles mosquitoes by malarial parasites using Multiplex Nested-PCR in the South of Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Materials and Methods: In the second half of 2017, 400 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from Zahedan Medical Insecticide Check Centers located in villages around Nikshahr city. The mosquitoes were caught by hand-held methods in domestic (human and animal), natural and artificial outdoor places (Shelterpit). After DNA extraction, molecular analysis was performed using Multiplex Nested-PCR.
Results: Of the 310 samples collected from parts of Lashar, Ahuran and the centre of Nik Shahr city, 6 samples (1.5%) were found to be infected with Plasmodium vivacs, and 90 samples collected from the Fennoj and Bennett sections of the city had no infection. Samples containing plasmodium falciparum and a mixture of Plasmodium vivacs and Plasmodium falciparum were not detected in this study.
Conclusion: The results show that in places where the transmission of both species of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum occur, the detection of malarial parasites by PCR can be a very useful complement to confirm microscopic diagnosis.
Hossein Mahmoudvand, Mojgan Mirzaei, Mehrdad Khatami, Hormoz Mahmoudvand, Farnaz Kheirandish, Massumeh Niazi, Maryam Sepahvand, Sedigheh Nadri,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background: This study aims to evaluate the scolicidal effects of oak (Quercus infectoria) extract on hydatid cyst protoscoleces in vitro and ex vivo.
Materials and Methods: Following the collection of protoscoleces from sheep livers infected with fertile hydatid cysts from a slaughterhouse in Khorramabad, they were treated with various concentrations of oak extract (250-1000 µg/mL) for 5-40 min in vitro and ex vivo. Finally the mortality of protoscoleces was assessed by the eosin exclusion test (0.1% eosin staining).
Results: The mean of the mortality of protoscoleces was 100% after 5 min incubation with the concentration of 1000 mg/ml of oak extract. On the other hand, the mean of the mortality of protoscoleces after 10 incubation with the concentration of 500 mg/ml of oak extract was 100%. However, these results were not observed in the ex vivo analysis. That is, oak extract requires a longer length of time to display potent protoscolicidal effects.
Conclusion: The results of this investigation revealed that oak extract could have a significant scolicidal activity on hydatid cyst protoscoleces. However, further research, particularly in human and animal subjects, is required to reach this conclusion.
Keywords: Hydatidosis, Echinococcus granulosus, extract, hydatid sand, hcolicidal.
Reza Hajihossein, Azam Moslemi, Zahra Eslamirad,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (4-2020)
Abstract
Background: Some eukaryotic microorganisms, including flagellated protozoan called Trichomonas tenax, are effective in causing periodontal diseases. The purpose of this study is to review Iranian articles on the prevalence of Trichomonas tenax in order to provide a comprehensive description of the prevalence of this parasite in the country.
Methods: To investigate the research articles on the prevalence of Trichomonas tenax on the Iranian population, a systematic search was conducted in Persian and English databases. The search process led to the inclusion of 9 articles into this systematic review, all of which entered meta-analysis.
Results: In the reviewed articles, a total of 1,651 people had been examined for Trichomonas tenax infection. Based on the random effects model, the prevalence of this parasite in Iran was 0.07 with a 95% confidence interval (0.02-0.13) (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings of the experimental study showed that the maximum Trichomonas tenax prevalence in Iran was 36.6%. On the other hand, the prevalence of this parasite is higher in patients with periodontitis than in healthy individuals. Hence, the parasite can be a serious concern for the health of the oral cavity. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the prevalence of this infection using standard methods. Moreover, the factors associated with the prevalence of this parasite should be examined.
Saeed Pirmoradi, Hedieh Jafari,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (5-2021)
Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subset of small regulatory RNAs that are expressed by almost all metazoans and protozoans. They express genes either by direct cleavage or by suppressing the translation of target mRNAs by partial complementary base pairing. The active and functional unit of miRNA is a complex of Argonaute proteins known as microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC). They are known to regulate various growth and physiological processes. Irregular expression of miRNA in human cells is associated with a variety of disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction, liver damage, immune dysfunction, metabolic syndromes, and pathogenic infections.
A growing number of studies have shown that miRNAs are in fact a major component of host interactions and pathogens and play an important role in host immune responses to microorganisms. Emerging miRNAs are recognized as important tools for the genetic study, therapeutic development, and diagnosis of human pathogenic infections caused by various pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Many pathogens use the host miRNA system for their own benefits, including pathogenesis, survival within the host cell, and crossing some host immune barriers. Other pathogens express their miRNA within the host and contribute to their replication, survival, or delay. This article aims to review the role and importance of miRNA in relation to some important parasitic diseases.
Shirzad Fallahi, Maedeh Chahichi Isfahan, Farnaz Kheirandish, Mehdi Birjandi, Pejman Hashemzadeh,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (8-2021)
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is the most important parasitic infection associated with central nervous system. Sufficient knowledge and information about congenital toxoplasmosis and its effective factors is very helpful for health graduates in the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of the disease in infants. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge level of senior students related to pregnant women in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran, about congenital toxoplasmosis.
Materials and Methods: This study included 177 students who would deal with pregnant women in their future careers. The students' knowledge and information about congenital toxoplasmosis were assessed and measured based on a pre-designed questionnaire. The Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used to compare the obtained data.
Results: The results of this study showed that the students' knowledge about congenital toxoplasmosis was not in a desired range (4.72±71.14%). Based on the results, the level of knowledge was significantly lower in nursing and nutrition students (P=0.013), younger age groups (P=0.013), dormitory residents (P=0.002), and undergraduates (P<0.001), compared to other students (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated the poor level of information of senior students related to pregnant women about congenital toxoplasmosis. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the disease and its irreparable damage to the fetus, development of plans to increase students' awareness of the disease, as well as ways of transmission and prevention.
Masoumeh Mirzaee, Farnaz Khirandish, Shirzad Falahi,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (4-2022)
Abstract
Background: Regardless of significant progress in the field of health around the world, intestinal parasitic infections are still considered one of the health and economic problems in various societies, including Iran. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among individuals who referred to the central laboratory, Boroujerd, Iran, to apply for a health card.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the first half of 2020. The samples (n=1,098) were selected from health card applicants in Boroujerd city using the convenience sampling method. The data collected through a questionnaire, the results of medical examinations, and the significance or non-significance of such variables as age, gender, and occupation with the results of tests that used direct methods (i.e., Lugol and normal saline) and formalin ether to diagnose intestinal parasites, were recorded and analyzed in SPSS 16 software using the Chi-square test.
Results: The results showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) was 8.7%. Moreover, the prevalence of infection was estimated at 9.1% in men and 5.8% in women. Intestinal protozoan infections were reported for Blastocystis hominis (61.1%), Endolimax nana (7.3%), Idamoeba botscheli (7.3%), Entamoeba coli (2.5%), Giardia lamblia (4.2%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.1%), and the helminths parasites Hymnolepis nana (1.1%). Among people with parasites, the highest percentages were related to pizza and sandwich (fast food) jobs (14.3%) and bakery 8%.
Conclusion: Infection of intestinal parasites, especially protozoa, was more than worm infections. The results of this study showed the high prevalence of B. hominis. Since the transmission of this parasite is through the fecal-oral route, it is necessary to implement programs to improve food preparation and production environments, as well as providing healthy food and water, observing personal and public health, and monitoring and enforcing health laws by health center inspectors.
Mohammad Sardari, Mehran Bakhtiari, Amir Hossein Maghsood,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Hydatidosis is one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases in the world, which is also endemic in Iran. Because no seroprevalence study of Hydatidosis has been conducted in Borujerd, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the seroprevalence of hydatidosis and its associated risk factors among individuals attending comprehensive health centers in Borujerd, Iran, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 351 serum samples from individuals attending comprehensive health centers in Borujerd city. After obtaining informed consent and completing a questionnaire, blood samples were collected, and the presence of anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG antibody was detected by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.
Results: The findings indicated that 14 out of 351 subjects tested were positive for anti-Echinococcus antibodies, with seropositivity rates of 5.1% in men and 2.8% in women. No significant associations were observed between the presence of anti-Echinococcus antibodies and variables such as age, gender, education level, occupation, place of residence, contact with dogs, and vegetable washing practices.
Conclusion: The results highlighted a notable seroprevalence of hydatidosis in Borujerd (4%), which is higher than the average of infection rate in the west of Iran. Considering the endemicity of the disease in this region and also its health importance, taking necessary measures, including hygienic slaughter of livestock, prevention of feeding dogs with contaminated intestines and viscera, and collecting stray dogs in order to control and prevent this parasitic infection.
Amir Keyhani, Iraj Sharifi, Behroz Ezatpour, Fatemeh Sakifar, Hossein Mahmoudvand,
Volume 26, Issue 4 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: This study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of ethanolic extract of Nectaroscordeum koelzii on the growth and induction of apoptosis in promastigotes of Leishmania tropica.
Materials and Methods: A growth inhibition test was conducted to evaluate the effects of the extracts and a control drug on human macrophage cell lines (THP-1) and promastigotes of the standard strain of Leishmania tropica (MHOM/IR/2002/Mash2), which was obtained from the Leishmaniasis Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. The MTT method (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was used for this evaluation. Additionally, the activity of the caspase-3-like enzyme in promastigotes was assessed using colorimetric Caspase-3 activity assay kits (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), following the manufacturer's instructions.
Results: The ethanolic extract of N. koelzii significantly reduced the viability of L. tropica promastigotes (P < 0.001), with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 88.7 μg/ml. The findings also indicated that the extract significantly increased the activation of the caspase-3 enzyme (P < 0.01). the cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC50) values for the ethanolic extract of N. koelzii and glucantime on THP-1 macrophage cells were 496.9 μg/ml and 1215.2 μg/ml, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate the potential anti-leishmanial effects of the ethanolic extract of N. koelzii on the promastigotes of Leishmania tropica. Induction of apoptosis may also be one of the most significant cellular mechanisms underlying the anti-parasitic effects of this extract. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that this extract exhibits low cytotoxicity towards normal human cells. However, further studies are needed to investigate the exact cellular mechanisms.
Hadi Mirahmadi, Amir Taji, Ahmad Mehravaran, Shirzad Fallahi, Rahmat Solgi, Ali Reza Salimi Khorashad, Hossein Ansari,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (12-2025)
Abstract
Background: The present study investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasites in individuals who referred to hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, from 2019 to 2023.
Materials and Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted cross-sectionally and consisted of 5,976 individuals referring to the hospitals with gastrointestinal. To describe the data, mean (standard deviation) and number (percentage) were used according to the studied groups.
Results: The results of the study showed that 1,510 people were diagnosed positive. The highest rate of infection by intestinal protozoa was related to Giardia, affecting 528 people (8.8%), while the lowest rate of infection was related to Endolimax nana, affecting 10 people (0.16%). The highest prevalence rate of infections by intestinal worms was related to Entrobius vermicularis, with 64 people (1.07%), whereas the lowest prevalence rate was associated with Trichuris trichiura, with 19 cases (0.31%).
Conclusion: The comparison of the percentage of pollution in the current study with other relevant studies in the past years showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in this region has decreased significantly, similar to other regions of the country. At the same time, the rate of infection by intestinal protozoa is significantly higher than by intestinal worms. This issue can be due to their direct and easier transmission compared to the worm eggs or larvae.
