Hossein Hooshyar

Prevalence of ruminants fascioliasis and their economic effects in Kashan, center of Iran

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence and economic losses of Fasciola spp. isolates and costs incurred due to liver condemnation from ruminants in Kashan region, center of Iran from 2012 to 2013. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total number of 251 325 slaughtered sheep, goats and cattle (88 939 sheep, 151 924 goats and 10 462 cattle) were examined via necropsy for fasciolasis in industrial Kashan abattoirs located in center of Iran. The average weight was calculated as 1 000 g for sheep, 900 g for goat and 5 000 g for cattle in this study region. Based on market value, the average price of a kilo gram of normal liver at Kashan city during the study period was 8 USD. The amount of main nutrients and vitamins elimination in liver contaminated to fascioliasis was determined. Results Overall 3.28% of the livers were found to be infected. For total number of sheep, goats and cattle slaughtered annually in region study, it was estimated that 7 505  livers were infected and total annual economic losses of fascioliasis of studied animals was 41 784 USD (based on market prices in study period). Of this, 23 360 USD, 30 240 USD and 15 400 USD were associated with the fascioliasis of sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. Conclusions This study indicated that the Fasciola sp. clearly remains prevalent and causes considerable economic losses in study region in sheep, goats and cattle and presumably, other areas and hosts of Iran, providing baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important parasitic infection in the country.

Serological and molecular survey of toxoplasmosis in renal transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients in Kashan and Qom regions, central Iran.

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important opportunistic pathogen among solid-organ transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients (HD). This study was aimed to detect toxoplasmosis among 50 renal transplant recipients (RTR), 135 HD and 120 healthy individuals in two cities (Kashan and Qom) that located in the center of Iran, from 2014 to 2015. Serological detection (IgG and IgM antibodies) was performed among all individuals in case and control groups. Molecular detection was performed on all IgM positive individuals or IgG positive with moderate to high (>51 IU/mL) antibody titers in HD (n = 42) and control groups (n = 21). In RTR patients, molecular detection was conducted among all seropositive or seronegative individuals (n = 50). IgG seropositivity was detected in 52% (26/50) of RTR, 63% (85/135) of HD and 33.3% (40/120) of the control group. The rate of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was significantly elevated in RTR and HD patients than the control group (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). IgM seropositivity was only detected in one HD patient. T. gondii DNA was detected in 12% (6/50) of RTR and 7.1% (3/42) of HD patients. The results of this study suggested that the screening of toxoplasmosis should be given greater consideration among RTR and hemodialysis patients.

Therapeutic Effect of Hedera helix Alcoholic Extract Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania major in Balb/c Mice

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is common and endemic in many areas of Iran, caused by species of a protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. There is not any effective vaccine against leishmaniasis; so, therapy is important for prevention and separation of disease. Herbal extract for treatment of CL is cost-effective, applicable topically to lesions, and can avoid the development of drug resistance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo activity of an alcoholic extract of Hedera helix (a native Iranian plant) on the experimental ulcer of zoonotic CL in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: At least 5x l06 promastigotes of Leishmania major (MHOM/64/IR/ER75) were inoculated subcutaneously in the tail base of Balb/c mice. Fifty six infected mice were distributed in four groups, two groups (16 mice for 20% alcoholic extract of H. helix and 13 for 70% extract) were used as experimental groups, one (15 mice) as placebo control (Control A), and one (12 mice) as negative control. Treatment effects of two concentrations were determined by comparison of placebo and nontreated groups via measuring the size of skin lesions and the number of parasitologically positive and negative mice after the therapy period. Results: This study showed that the main lesion size did not decrease significantly, or the small lesions did not completely disappear after treatment by H. helix alcoholic extract. Amastigotes counts (mean ± SD) of the skin lesions decreased in control A and 20% concentration groups, but in negative control and 70% concentration groups the number of parasites did not reduce. Conclusions: The present study did not support the in vivo antileishmanial effect of H. helix extract. We recommend further studies using major components of H. helix, especially hederasaponin (saponin K10), to investigate the antileishmanial effect of this plant on L. major.

Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Isolated From Surface and Stagnant Waters of Qazvin, Central Iran

1 Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran2 Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, IR Iran3 Department of Microbiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

Identification of Acanthamoeba Genotypes in Pools and Stagnant Water in Ponds in Sistan Region in Southeast Iran.

OBJECTIVE Acanthamoeba is one of the most abundant free-living amoebas that is widely distributed in natural and artificial environment resources. Acanthamoeba pathogenic genotypes cause chronic human diseases including amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. The aim of this study was to determine and identify Acanthamoeba genotypes residing in pools and stagnant water in ponds in Sistan region in southeast Iran. This descriptive study was conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences. METHODS In this descriptive study, 93 water samples were collected from pools and ponds in Zabol, Zahak, Hirmand, Hamoon, and Nimrooz in Sistan region. Samples after filtering through 0.45-μm nitrocellulose paper filters were cultured in a 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium enriched with heat-killed Escherichia coli. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted using specialized primers for detecting the genus Acanthamoeba. The sequencing of positive samples was used for determining Acanthamoeba genotypes. RESULTS From 82 free-living amoeba positive culture samples, 38 isolates were confirmed to belong to the genus Acanthamoeba by PCR. On sequencing, 34 samples (89.47%) belonged to the T4 genotype, three (7.9%) to the T5 genotype, and one (2.63%) to the T3 genotype. CONCLUSION All genotypes found in this study are potentially pathogenic. The T4 genotype is the main genotype of Acanthamoeba responsible for amoebic keratitis. Resource water is a potential risk factor for the distribution of free-living amoeba. Therefore, more attention of health authorities to determine, training and prevention from infection are recommended.

Comparison of Molecular, Microscopic, and Culture Methods for Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in the northwest of Isfahan province, Iran. Increase in the incidence of the disease in Kashan has made it necessary to find out the best method for diagnosis and molecular characterization of Leishmania species. In the present study, 130 patients suspected to cutaneous leishmaniosis referred to health care centers of Kashan were examined. Serosity of lesion was collected for smear preparation and cultured in Novy‐Nicolle‐McNeal medium. DNA was extracted from serosity, and Leishmania species was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) specific primers. The diagnostic criteria of CL were based on the observation of amastigotes in the smear, promastigotes in culture, presence of expected bands in PCR, or nested PCR. Of 130 specimens, 87 (66.9%), 72 (56.2%), 98 (75.4 %), 96 (73.8%), and 99 (76.2%) were positive for microscopic culture, PCR, nested PCR, and combined PCR and microscopy (proposed method), respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of PCR were 99%, 100%, 100%, 96.9%, respectively, for microscopy 87.9%, 100%, 100%, 72.1%, for culture 72.7%, 100%, 100%, 53.4 %, and for nested PCR 97%, 100%, 100%, 91.2%, respectively. Based on the results of the study, kDNA‐PCR was the most sensitive method for diagnosis of CL.

Intestinal parasitic infections in different groups of immunocompromised patients in Kashan and Qom cities, central Iran

Abstract Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with immunocompromising conditions. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IPIs in different groups of immunocompromised patients, including hemodialysis patients (HD), renal transplant recipients (RTR), cancer and HIV/AIDS patients in comparison with healthy individuals in two central cities of Iran (Kashan and Qom). Methods: In this case–control study, the stool samples of 135 HD, 50 RTR, 60 cancer patients, 20 HIV/AIDS patients and 120 healthy subjects were tested using direct-smear, formol-ether concentration, Ziehl–Neelsen staining and Agar plate method. Results: The overall infection rate was 11.7% (31/265) in patient groups and 0% (0/120) in the control group. The frequency of parasites was 25% in HIV/AIDS patients, 11.9% (16/135) in HD, 12.0% (6/50) in RTR and 6.7% (4/60) in cancer patients. Blastocystis hominis (4.2%) and Giardia lamblia (3.0%) were the most prevalent parasites in patient groups. The infection rate was significantly higher in male (17.6%) than female (5.4%) patients (p = .002), but no statistically significant association was observed according to the age and educational levels. Conclusions: This study showed a high prevalence of IPIs in immunocompromised patients. The results of this study suggest that periodic stool examinations for screening of IPIs should be included as a part of routine medical care in these patients.

Examining the efficiency and determining the quality of the effluent of Wastewater Treatment Plant of Kashan University of Medical Sciences to achieve Engelberg guidelines

The results indicated that the monthly average of the number of total coliforms in raw sewage and effluent are 3.84 E6 and 7.01E2 respectively and also the fecal Coliform is 2.7 E6 and 4.76E2 MPN/100 ml respectively. Therefore, the overall efficiency of wastewater treatment in the removal of total coliforms, fecal Coliforms and the nematodes eggs are 99.98%, 99.98% and 97.25% as respectively. Further 94.45% of the effluent samplings in terms of fecal Coliform and 100% of the samplings in terms of nematodes eggs have been matched with the Engelberg guidelines and it can be used in agriculture. Keywords Reuse, wastewater treatment, microbial quality, Engelberg, guidelines.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers in Kashan, central Iran, 2017–2018

The most important transmission path of intestinal parasites is the consumption of contaminated water and food. This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers in Kashan, central Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried on 1018 food handlers who referred to the health centers in order to receive health certificate in 2017–2018. Stool samples of food handlers were collected and examined using direct and formalin-ethyl acetate methods. Results were recorded in information form along with some demographic data such as sex, age. The data were analyzed based on the tests of descriptive statistics by SPSS 16. Of the 1018 individuals examined 851 (83.6%) were men and 167 (16.4%) were female. Infection rate was 10.2% among the population and 9 types of parasites were diagnosed totally. Rate of infection to protozoan intestinal parasites were: Blastocystis sp. 7.17%, Giardia duodenalis 1.2%, Entamoeba coli 1.27%, Endolimax nana 1.08%, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.3%, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.3%, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar 0.2%, Chilomastix mesnili 0.1%. Hymenolepis nana (0.1%) was the only intestinal worm that observed. In this investigation, 8.9% of the individual were infected by one parasite, 1.08% by two and 0.2% by 3 or more parasites. This study showed that infection to intestinal helminthic is rare among food handlers in Kashan but the prevalence of protozoan intestinal parasites is high that similar to other regions of Iran. To reduce the rate of parasitic infections and inhibition of their transmission, continuing the process of promoting the health level is recommended.

Therapeutic effects of Iranian herbal extracts against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated parasite affecting about 276 million people annually worldwide. Tricomoniasis is associated with different complications in pregnant women and infants. 5’-nitroimidazole derivatives (metronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole) are FDA approved drugs recommended for trichomoniasis treatment. Treatment with metronidazole 5’-nitroimidazole derivatives is associated with many side effects, and drug resistance to metronidazole has been reported in some cases. Recently, many attempts have been made to evaluate the effects of plants on causative agents of vaginal infections. In our research, the national and international databases were searched and the effects of various herbal extracts on T. vaginalis in Iran were reviewed from 2006 to 2016. In articles investigated, some plants had favorable antitrichomonal effects and needed to be further investigated. All the plant extracts have only been evaluated in vitro. Surveys of different articles in this review show that the active ingredients present in different parts of plants, including aerial parts, leaves, flowers, stems, and root can be suitable sources for introducing and developing new antitrichomonal compounds