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Ogola HJO, Ijoma GN, Edokpayi JN. Exploring the dichotomy: Shotgun metagenomics reveals diversity of beneficial and pathogenic protist community in arid wetlands of northeastern South Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174306. [PMID: 38942318 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Arid regions harbor seasonal and permanent wetlands, as biodiversity hotspots crucial for ecosystem services despite harsh conditions. These wetlands, typically dependent on episodic intense rainfall, are understudied compared to their humid counterparts. While the diversity of plants and animals in these wetlands is well-known, the microbial communities remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we employed metagenome sequencing technologies to profile protist communities, including pathogenic protozoa, and their associated functional pathways, in sediment of permanent and seasonal arid freshwater wetlands across northern South Africa. Results revealed a core community of protists dominated by phylum Apicomplexa (66.73 %), Euglenazoa (19.03 %), Bacillariophyta (5.44 %), Metamonada (4.65 %), Cryptophyta (1.90 %), and Amoebazoa (1.21 %). Seasonal wetlands showed significantly higher protist diversity compared to permanent wetlands (Shannon index, p = 0.019; Chao1, p = 0.0095). A high abundance and diversity of human and zoonotic pathogenic protists (87.67 %) was observed, with lower levels of photoautotrophs (6.69 %) and limited diversity of phagotrophs (5.64 %). Key photoautotrophs identified included diatoms (Thalassiosiraceae and Phaeodactylaceae) and cryptophytes (genus Hemiselmis and Cryptophyta), with consumers/phagotrophs exhibited a correlation with the bacterial community abundance (r2 = 0.218, p < 0.001). Pathogenic protozoans identified, include malaria-causing Plasmodium, kinetoplastids (genus Besnoita, Theilleria, Neospora, Toxoplasma, Encephalitozoon, and Babesia) and waterborne protozoans of public health importance (such as Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia). Furthermore, the enrichment of pathogenesis-associated pathways (amino acid biosynthesis, peptidoglycan maturation, heme biosynthesis and degradation, and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle), along with virulence gene families identified, highlighted these wetlands as potential reservoirs for infectious diseases. Our results unveil a baseline protist taxonomic and functional composition within arid wetlands, including beneficial and pathogenic protozoa. The close proximity of these wetlands to human activity raises concern for local and transboundary spread of these pathogens. Thus, continued monitoring is vital for disease control and preserving these unique ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa.
| | - Grace Nkechinyere Ijoma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
| | - Joshua Nosa Edokpayi
- Water and Environmental Management Research Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
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Elmehy DA, Elmansory BM, Gamea GA, Abdelhai DI, Abd-Elsalam SM, Salamah AM, Ata DS, Mahmoud EF, Ibrahim HA, Salama AM. Parasitic infections as potential risk factors for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:82-92. [PMID: 36910322 PMCID: PMC9998788 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) represents a mysterious neuropsychiatric alarming concern due to indefinite etiopathogenesis among children. Notably, the studies which investigated the correlation between ADHD and parasitic infections are insufficient. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the correlation between ADHD and some tissue dwelling and intestinal parasitic infections in children. The study was conducted on 200 children, including 100 children suffering from ADHD (Group I) and 100 healthy children as a control group (Group II). All caregivers fulfilled predesigned sociodemographic form and Conners parent rating scale (CPRS-48) questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin level as well as relative eosinophilic count. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxocara IgG in serum by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was further investigated. Also, micronutrients as zinc, iron, and copper levels were measured. Schistosoma antigen was investigated in urine samples. Stool samples were subjected to direct wet smear, concentration technique and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining for coccidian parasites detection. Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica antigens were investigated in stool samples. Group I expressed more liability to sociodemographic risk factors, decreased levels of Hb, iron, zinc, and copper with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Comparison between Group I and Group II regarding the detected parasitic infections exhibited statistically significant difference except Schistosoma antigen positivity which expressed no statistical significance. The present study concluded that the parasitic infections with their consequences are potential risk factors in children with ADHD indicating that their early diagnosis and treatment may help in ADHD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia A. Elmehy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Basma M. Elmansory
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Ghada A. Gamea
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dina I. Abdelhai
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | | | - Abeer M. Salamah
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kafr El Shiekh University, Kafr El Shiekh, Egypt
| | - Dina S. Ata
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Eman F. Mahmoud
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hoda A. Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Amina M. Salama
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Nasrallah J, Akhoundi M, Haouchine D, Marteau A, Mantelet S, Wind P, Benamouzig R, Bouchaud O, Dhote R, Izri A. Updates on the worldwide burden of amoebiasis: A case series and literature review. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:1134-1141. [PMID: 36155852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amoebiasis is an intestinal and tissue parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. Despite significant medical importance and worldwide dispersion, little is known about the epidemiology and distinct geographical distribution of various clinical forms of amoebiasis in the world. In this study, we present an amoebiasis case series referred to Avicenne Hospital (Bobigny, France) from 2010 to 2022 followed by an overview of the released literature to explore diverse clinico-pathology of amoebiasis and to update the actual epidemiological situation of this parasitosis worldwide. METHODS The referred patients underwent a combination of clinical and parasitological examinations and imaging. The study was followed by an overview of released literature performed based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline. RESULTS A total of 15 patients with amoebiasis were diagnosed with an average age of 48.5 years old at the occurrence time of infection. Men (78%) were the most affected patients. Most of the cases were reported following a trip to endemic regions, such as Mali, India, Nepal, Algeria, Cameroon or Congo. All of the processed patients exhibited a hepatic amoebiasis. Amoebic abscess was observed in all cases with an average size of 6.3 cm. Of these patients, seven cases (46.7%) benefited from drainage following a risk of rupture or superinfection of the abscess. A compilation of findings extracted from 390 scientific publications via seven major medical databases, allowed us to update the main epidemiological and clinical events that has led to the current worldwide expansion of amoebiasis. We presented a clinical and epidemiological overview of the amoebiasis accompanied with a worldwide illustrative map displaying the current distribution of known amoebiasis foci in each geographical ecozone of Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas, and Australia. CONCLUSIONS Although Metropolitan France is not known as an endemic region of amoebiasis, amoebic liver abscess was the most frequent clinical form observed among our 15 patients processed. Most of infected patients had a history of travel to or lived-in endemic areas before arriving in France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Nasrallah
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Mohammad Akhoundi
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France.
| | - Djamel Haouchine
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Anthony Marteau
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Stéphane Mantelet
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Philippe Wind
- Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Robert Benamouzig
- Hepato-gastroenterology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Olivier Bouchaud
- Infectious diseases Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France
| | - Robin Dhote
- Internal Medicine Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France
| | - Arezki Izri
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France; Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
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Elmehy D, Elmansory BM, Gamea GA, Abdelhai DI, Abd-elsalam SM, Salamah AM, Ata DS, Mahmoud EF, Ibrahim HA, Salama AM. The Fire Under the Ash: Parasitic infections as potential risk factors for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1983187/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) represents a mysterious neuropsychiatric alarming concern due to indefinite etiopathogenesis among children. Notably, the studies which investigated the correlation between ADHD and parasitic infections are insufficient. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the correlation between ADHD and some tissue dwelling and intestinal parasitic infections in children. The study was conducted on 200 children, including 100 children suffering from ADHD (Group I) and 100 healthy children as a control group (Group II). All caregivers fulfilled predesigned sociodemographic form and Conners parent rating scale (CPRS-48) questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin level as well as relative eosinophilic count. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxocara IgG in serum by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was further investigated. Also, micronutrients as zinc, iron, and copper levels were measured. Schistosoma antigen was investigated in urine samples. Stool samples were subjected to direct wet smear, concentration technique and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining for coccidian parasites detection. Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica antigens were investigated in stool samples. Group I expressed more liability to sociodemographic risk factors, decreased levels of Hb, iron, zinc, and copper with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Comparison between Group I and Group II regarding the detected parasitic infections exhibited statistically significant difference except Schistosoma antigen positivity which expressed no statistical significance. The present study concluded that the parasitic infections with their consequences are potential risk factors in children with ADHD indicating that their early diagnosis and treatment may help in ADHD prevention.
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Tokijoh NI, Bakar AA, Othman N, Noordin R, Saidin S. Assessing the prevalence and risk factors associated with Entamoeba complex infection among the Orang Asli school children in Perak, Malaysia through molecular approach. Parasitol Int 2022; 91:102638. [PMID: 35926695 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
This study performed a cross-sectional investigation on the prevalence of Entamoeba complex infection comprising Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii and their associated risk factors among the Orang Asli school children in three districts in Perak, Malaysia. Stool samples collected from 544 school children aged between 7 and 12 years old were examined through the nested multiplex PCR assay. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses were then carried out to determine the risk factor associated with Entamoeba complex infection. The overall prevalence of Entamoeba complex infections (E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii) was 21.3% (116/544). Most positive school children were infected with E. moshkovskii (10.7%; 58/544), followed by E. dispar (9.0%; 49/544) and E. histolytica (5.0%; 27/544). Not washing their hands after using the toilet was identified as the only significant risk factor for E. histolytica. The significant risk factors associated with E. moshkovskii infection included children within the age of 10-12 years old, with high BMI, living with working and non-educated mothers, no toilet in the house, not washing their hands after using the toilet, and fever. On the other hand, drinking water from the river, well, and rain was associated with a decreased risk of E. dispar infection. In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of Entamoeba spp. infections among the Orang Asli school children in Perak, Malaysia. Addressing the identified risk factors coupled with a holistic approach in breaking the transmission of Entamoeba complex can help improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Insyirah Tokijoh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Adibah Abu Bakar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
| | - Nurulhasanah Othman
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Syazwan Saidin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
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Oliveira CVB, Neves DH, de Souza Morais EE, de Oliveira TJS, da Silva MM, Barros LM, Duarte AE. Identification and Semi-quantification of Protozoa from the Digestive System Microbiota of the Lobster Cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea Oliver, 1789 (Insecta:Blattaria). Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1186-1198. [PMID: 35587306 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00570-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (N. cinerea) is indicated as a promising non-mammalian model, because it presents behavioral and biochemical alterations also observed in conventional models. In this research, we identified and characterized the distribution of protozoa that inhabit the digestive system (DS) of N. cinerea cockroaches. METHODS The adult specimens of N. cinerea used in this study (n = 32) were obtained at the Federal University of Santa Maria, dissected and had their visceral contents observed in bright-field microscopy without staining and after application of lugol, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, EA36 trichrome and simulated dark-field microscopy with application of nankin ink. The presence of protozoa in different portions of the DS was semi-quantified by a system of crosses (+). RESULTS The main taxa observed were: amoebas (Archaemebae:Entamoebida), gregarins (Apicomplexa:Eugregarinide), coccidia (Apicomplexa:Eucoccidiorida), kinetoplastids (Kinetoplastea:Kinetoplastida) and oxymonads (Preaxostyla:Oxymonadida). The highest prevalence of amoebas and gregarines was observed in the medial portion of the DS, while for the other groups, this was seen in the final portion, and in the case of coccidia, such prevalence was specially evidenced by the alcohol-acid coloration. In the present work, the great biological diversity that exists in the microbiota of the digestive system of Nauphoeta cinerea was demonstrated, being possible to find several pathogenic species for humans such as Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Cryptosporidium sp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis. There is still a lot to know about the interactions between endocommensal protozoa and their respective invertebrate hosts, so the best way to clarify such relationships is through molecular and genetic test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Vinicius Barros Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology (BIOTOX), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Honorato Neves
- Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology (BIOTOX), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Elayne Eally de Souza Morais
- Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology (BIOTOX), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Thalyta Julyanne Silva de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology (LECOV), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Mayara Maria da Silva
- Semi-Arid Bioprospecting Laboratory and Alternative Methods (LABSEMA), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz Marivando Barros
- Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology (LECOV), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Antonia Eliene Duarte
- Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology (BIOTOX), Department of Biology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, CNPJ-06.740.864/0001-26, CEL. Antônio Luiz Street, 1161-Pimenta, Crato, CE, CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
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Molecular identification of Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii in children with diarrhea from Maracaibo, Venezuela. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 41:23-34. [PMID: 34111338 PMCID: PMC8318391 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Las amebas no patógenas Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii y Entamoeba bangladeshi son morfológicamente idénticas a Entamoeba histolytica, parásito responsable de la amebiasis, por lo cual se necesitan técnicas moleculares para diferenciarlas. Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de las diferentes especies de Entamoeba mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) en muestras fecales de niños menores de cinco años con diarrea, provenientes de Maracaibo (Venezuela). Materiales y métodos. Se recolectó una muestra fecal por individuo en 75 niños con diarrea (grupo de casos) y en 25 niños sin diarrea (grupo control). Las heces se evaluaron mediante examen microscópico, método de concentración de formól-éter y PCR múltiple anidada en una sola ronda para identificar E. histolytica, E. dispar y E. moshkovskii. Además, se hizo una encuesta en la que se recopilaron los datos demográficos, signos, manifestaciones clínicas y estrato socioeconómico de los niños. Resultados. El 48 % de los participantes (38 del grupo de casos y 10 del grupo de control) tenían enteroparásitos. Solo en las muestras de cuatro de los niños, se encontraron quistes del complejo Entamoeba (tres en el grupo de casos y uno en el de control). Mediante PCR se amplificaron nueve muestras (9 %) para la detección de las amebas estudiadas. En el grupo de casos se registraron tres (28,13 %) de E. histolytica, cuatro (30,50 %) de E. dispar y una (9,37 %) de E. moshkovskii, en tanto que solo una (25 %) muestra amplificó para E. dispar en el grupo de control. Conclusión. En general, predominó E. dispar; sin embargo, todos los infectados con E. histolytica se detectaron en el grupo de niños con diarrea y se detectó el primer caso de E. moshkovskii en la región.
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Entamoeba species infection in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2021; 23:e00122. [PMID: 33898796 PMCID: PMC8053789 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2021.e00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the only pathogenic species of the Entamoeba genus and is morphologically identical to E. dispar/E. moshkovskii (Entamoeba complex) hence cannot be microscopically differentiated. The other Entamoeba spp. found in humans (E. hartmanni, E. polecki, and E. coli) can be differentiated morphologically from this Entamoeba complex. However, some of their morphologic features overlap making differential diagnosis difficult. This study aimed at determining the occurrence of Entamoeba spp. in patients seeking treatment for diarrhea and/or abdominal discomfort at two clinics in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Faecal samples were collected from 895 patients, examined microscopically following direct wet smear and formal-ether concentration methods. Entamoeba spp. positive faecal samples were subjected to DNA extraction and species-specific nested polymerase chain reaction of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). By microscopy, Entamoeba spp. cysts or trophozoites were detected in 114/895 (12.7%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 10.6-15.1) faecal samples. By nested PCR, the prevalence was: E. histolytica (7.5%, 95% CI 5.9-9.4, 67/895) and E. dispar (8.2%, 95% CI 6.5-10.2, 73/895). Among the Entamoeba spp. complex positive samples, nested PCR detected E. coli and E. hartmanni DNA in 63/114 (55.3%) and 37/114 (32.5%), samples respectively. Among the E. histolytica/E. dispar PCR negative samples (32.5%), 21 (18.4%) contained cysts of either E. coli (19) or E. hartmanni (2) by nested PCR. Entamoeba spp. infections were most common among participants aged 21-30 years; however it was not significant (P = 0.7). Entamoeba spp. infections showed an inverse relationship with diarrhea being most common among participants without diarrhea (P = 0.0). The difference was significant for E. histolytica (P = 0.0) but not significant for E. dispar (P = 0.1). Only E. dispar infections were significantly associated with sex (P = 0.0). This study highlights the need for differentiation of E. histolytica from other Entamoeba spp. by molecular tools for better management of amoebiasis.
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Li J, Cui Z, Li X, Zhang L. Review of zoonotic amebiasis: Epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. Res Vet Sci 2021; 136:174-181. [PMID: 33676155 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which mainly shows symptoms of acute diarrhea, dysentery, amebic colitis, and amebic liver abscesses. As the fourth leading parasitic cause of human mortality, E. histolytica mainly infect children in developing countries, transmitted by food and water contamination. In the majority of infected individuals, Entamoeba sp. asymptomatically colonizes the large intestine and self-limiting, while in others, the parasite breaches the mucosal epithelial barrier to cause amebic colitis and can disseminate to soft organs to cause abscesses. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the recommended and most widely used drug for treating the invasive amebiasis. No amebiasis vaccine has been approved for human clinical trials to date, but many recent vaccine development studies hold promise. For the prevention and control of amebiasis, improvement of water purification systems and hygiene practices could decrease disease incidence. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology, transmission, clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of the zoonotic amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Zhaohui Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
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Pattanawong U, Putaporntip C, Kakino A, Yoshida N, Kobayashi S, Yanmanee S, Jongwutiwes S, Tachibana H. Analysis of D-A locus of tRNA-linked short tandem repeats reveals transmission of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar among students in the Thai-Myanmar border region of northwest Thailand. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009188. [PMID: 33600446 PMCID: PMC7924757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections, including those caused by Entamoeba species, are a persistent problem in rural areas of Thailand. The aims of this study were to identify pathogenic Entamoeba species and to analyze their genotypic diversity. Stool samples were collected from 1,233 students of three schools located in the Thai-Myanmar border region of Tak Province, Thailand. The prevalence of Entamoeba infection was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species-specific primers. Thirty-one (2.5%) positive cases were detected for E. histolytica, 55 (4.5%) for E. dispar, and 271 (22.0%) for E. coli. Positive samples for E. histolytica and E. dispar were exclusively obtained from a few school classes, whereas E. coli was detected in all grades. No infections caused by E. moshkovskii, E. nuttalli, E. chattoni, and E. polecki were detected in the students studied. The D-A locus of tRNA-linked short tandem repeats was analyzed in samples of E. histolytica (n = 13) and E. dispar (n = 47) to investigate their diversity and potential modes of transmission. Five genotypes of E. histolytica and 13 genotypes of E. dispar were identified. Sequences of the D-A were divergent, but several unique genotypes were significantly prevalent in limited classes, indicating that intra-classroom transmission has occurred. As it was unlikely that infection would have been limited within school classes if the mode of transmission of E. histolytica and E. dispar had been through the intake of contaminated drinking water or food, these results suggest a direct or indirect person-to-person transmission mode within school classes. Positive rates for three Entamoeba species were 2-fold higher in students who had siblings in the schools than in those without siblings, suggesting that transmission occurred even at home due to heavy contacts among siblings. Transmissions in endemic areas of the pathogen Entamoeba histolytica and other non-pathogenic Entamoeba species such as E. dispar and E. coli are caused by ingestion of drinking water and foods contaminated with cysts of the parasites. Cases of Entamoeba infections among school-aged children have been reported in several countries. However, it has not been demonstrated that transmission of protozoa of the Entamoeba genus occurs within school facilities. In addition, genetic information on E. histolytica and other morphologically indistinguishable species, including E. dispar and E. moshkovskii, in Thailand remains scarce. In the present study, we demonstrated that E. histolytica and/or E. dispar are prevalent among school-aged children, but limited to few classes in three rural schools in the Thai-Myanmar border region of northwest Thailand. Although various genotypes of these Entamoeba species were identified, identical genotypes were significantly more prevalent in certain school classes and also among siblings, suggesting that transmission occurred within the classrooms and at home. The possibility of person-to-person transmission among these students via direct or indirect contact during daily activities in classrooms and home is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urassaya Pattanawong
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Azumi Kakino
- Department of Parasitology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshida
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiki Kobayashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Surasuk Yanmanee
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail: (SJ); (HT)
| | - Hiroshi Tachibana
- Department of Parasitology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
- * E-mail: (SJ); (HT)
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