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ElBakri A, Kanu GA, Salahat D, Hussein N, Ibrahim Z, Hasan H, AbuOdeh R. Comparison of various diagnostic techniques for the detection of Blastocystis spp. and its molecular characterisation in farm animals in the United Arab Emirates. J Vet Res 2023; 67:93-98. [PMID: 37008760 PMCID: PMC10062046 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Blastocystis spp. is a common anaerobic intestinal parasite infecting humans and a diverse range of animals. The aim of the study was to compare different diagnostic methods for the detection of Blastocystis and survey the occurrence of its subtypes in farm animals, namely sheep, cows and camels, in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Material and Methods
Ninety-seven faecal samples comprised of 69 from sheep, 12 from cows and 16 from camels were submitted to DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing. Blastocystis was screened for microscopically in 65 samples using direct wet-mount, modified acid-fast staining, trichrome staining and in vitro culture techniques.
Results
Fifteen (15.5%) samples were positive by PCR, twelve of which were confirmed by sequencing. Using PCR as a comparison standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the direct wet-mount, modified acid-fast staining, trichrome staining and in vitro culture methods were 40.0% and 78.3%, 40.0% and 83.3%, 80.0% and 80.0%, and 80.0% and 76.7% respectively. Only culture and trichrome tests were significantly associated with PCR (odds ratio (OR) = 13.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35–127.4; P = 0.007 and OR = 16; 95% CI: 1.63–156.5; P = 0.003, respectively) with trichrome detecting more positive cases than in vitro culture. The subtype (ST)10 was the only one found in all 12 sequenced sheep isolates.
Conclusion
The study corroborated previous data indicating that sheep are the natural hosts for ST10. No zoonotic subtypes nor mixed-subtype colonisation were found. The report also confirmed the superiority of trichrome staining in detecting Blastocystis spp.
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El Bakri A, Hussein NM, Ibrahim ZA, Hasan H, AbuOdeh R. Intestinal Parasite Detection in Assorted Vegetables in the United Arab Emirates. Oman Med J 2020; 35:e128. [PMID: 32550016 PMCID: PMC7276944 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2020.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Consuming raw vegetables presents a considerable risk to the public and is the chief mode of transmission of intestinal parasites. We sought to assess the degree of parasitic contaminations on selected vegetables in the UAE. Methods A total of 218 fresh vegetable samples were collected randomly from different farms and local supermarkets between February 2017 and January 2018. After washing and centrifugation, the sediment was examined microscopically for parasitic forms. Results Protozoa cysts and helminths eggs were detected in 15.1% (33/218) of samples. The most detected parasites were Entamoeba complex (E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii) (30.3%), Entamoeba coli (18.2%), Trichuris trichiura (12.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (12.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides egg (9.1%), Endolimax nana cyst and Enterobius vermicularis egg (6.1% each), and Giardia lamblia and Hymenolepis nana (3.0% each). We found no significant association between the vegetable type and the parasite occurrence (p > 0.050). Moreover, parasite incidence was independent of the vegetable type (p > 0.050). Conclusions The study highlights the potential of raw produce serving as a major source of foodborne disease outbreaks and its role in the transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. Public education on the safe handling of raw vegetables is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali El Bakri
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Nabila M Hussein
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Zeinab Abdallah Ibrahim
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Hayder Hasan
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Raed AbuOdeh
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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AbuOdeh R, Ezzedine S, Madkour M, Stensvold CR, Samie A, Nasrallah G, AlAbsi E, ElBakri A. Molecular Subtyping of Blastocystis from Diverse Animals in the United Arab Emirates. Protist 2019; 170:125679. [PMID: 31580985 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2019.125679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of Blastocystis from non-human hosts to zoonotic transmission is only partly known. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of Blastocystis genetic subtypes in different animal species in United Arab Emirates. A total of 114 stool samples were tested using PCR of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and sequence analysis. Twenty-three Blastocystis-positive samples were identified. The following detection rates were observed: cattle, 22.7%; sheep, 63.6%; rabbits, 33.3%; rodents, 37.5%; reptiles, 21.2%. Four subtypes were identified in this study; ST4, ST10, ST14, and ST17; ST10 was isolated from sheep and cattle, corroborating previous data indicating that these are natural hosts for this subtype. Cases of mixed subtype colonization were also detected. Conspicuously, we found ST14 in rabbits. The discovery of ST17 in a squirrel indicates a novel host for this subtype. Furthermore, the discovery of ST4 in rodents suggests that these may serve as reservoir for human Blastocystis ST4 colonization. Six tortoises and one iguana were positive for Blastocystis. In conclusion, this is the first report of Blastocystis infection in various animals in the UAE. Apart from ST4, no potentially zoonotic subtypes were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed AbuOdeh
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sinda Ezzedine
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Madkour
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Christen Rune Stensvold
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Amidou Samie
- Molecular Parasitology and Opportunistic Infections Program, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Gheyath Nasrallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Enas AlAbsi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali ElBakri
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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ElBakri A, Mogane L, Ezzedine S, Potgieter N, Bessong P, AbuOdeh R, Samie A. PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC HEALTHY EXPATRIATE WORKERS IN SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Afr J Infect Dis 2018; 12:7-13. [PMID: 30109280 PMCID: PMC6085736 DOI: 10.21010/ajid.v12i2.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Epidemiological data on Cryptosporidium infections in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scarce. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species among a community of expatriates in Sharjah, UAE working in different sectors, including the food industry, house maids and other domestic occupations. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty four stool samples were collected from asymptomatic individuals presenting to the Sharjah Municipality Public Health Clinic (SMPHC) for screening of intestinal parasites for work permission purposes between 2009 and 2011. Demographic information such as age, sex, and country of origin was collected. Genomic DNA extracted from the stool samples were tested for Cryptosporidium species using real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Twenty-six individuals (19.4%) were positive for Cryptosporidium sp. by PCR. The infection rate was found to be highest in Afghan nationals (33%; 3/9) compared with the rest of the study population; yet, no significant association existed between nationality and infection rate. Moreover, no association was observed between infection rate and gender (χ2 = 2.439; P = 0.118), nor infection rate and age group (χ2 = 1.219; P = 0.544). Conclusion: Infection by Cryptosporidium sp. was common in the study group, and further studies are needed within the native Emirati population before any conclusions can be made about foreigners potentially transmitting the parasite. Furthermore, data provided in this study could help determine its public and veterinary significance particularly in outbreaks in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali ElBakri
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lazarus Mogane
- University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Sinda Ezzedine
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Natasha Potgieter
- University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Pascal Bessong
- HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Raed AbuOdeh
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amidou Samie
- University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Smatti MK, Yassine HM, AbuOdeh R, AlMarawani A, Taleb SA, Althani AA, Nasrallah GK. Prevalence and molecular profiling of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) among healthy blood donors from different nationalities in Qatar. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189033. [PMID: 29228016 PMCID: PMC5724864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. EBV is highly prevalent lymphotropic herpesvirus and has been linked to several malignancies. Transmission is generally by oral secretions, but can be through blood transfusions and organ transplantations. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, viremia rates, and circulating genotypes of EBV in healthy blood donors in Qatar. METHODS Blood samples from 673 blood donors of different nationalities residing in Qatar (mainly Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, and India) were collected and tested for anti-EBV capsid (VCA; IgG & IgM), nuclear (EBNA; IgG), and early (EA-D; IgG) antigens. Avidity testing was determined when active infection was suspected. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat and subjected to EBV-DNA quantification using qRT-PCR. Genotyping was performed using nested-PCR targeting EBV-EBNA2 gene, and phylogeny by sequence analysis of the LMP-1 gene. RESULTS 97.9% (673/659) of the samples were seropositive as indicated by the presence VCA-IgG, while 52.6% (354/673) had detectible EBV-DNA. EBV seroprevalence and viremia rates increased significantly with age. Genotyping of 51 randomly selected samples showed predominance of Genotype 1 (72.5%, 37/51) as compared to genotype 2 (3.5%), and mixed infections were detected in 4% of the samples. Sub-genotyping for these samples revealed that the Mediterranean strain was predominant (65.3%), followed by B95.8 prototype and North Carolina strains (12.2% each), and China1 strain (6%). CONCLUSION As a first study to evaluate EBV infection in highly diverse population in Qatar, where expatriates represent more than 85% of the population, our results indicated high seroprevalence and viremia rate of EBV in different nationalities, with genotype 1 and Mediterranean strain being predominant. Clinical significance of these finding have not been investigated and shall be evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Raed AbuOdeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, U.A.E
| | - Asmaa AlMarawani
- Department of Laboratory, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara A. Taleb
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asmaa A. Althani
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Al-Qahtani AA, Alabsi ES, AbuOdeh R, Thalib L, El Zowalaty ME, Nasrallah GK. Erratum to: prevalence of anelloviruses (TTV, TTMDV, and TTMV) in healthy blood donors and in patients infected with HBV or HCV in Qatar. Virol J 2017; 14:143. [PMID: 28750638 PMCID: PMC5530519 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0791-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Qahtani
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Alfaisal University School of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Liver Disease Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Enas S Alabsi
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO, Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Raed AbuOdeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Lukman Thalib
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO, Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed E El Zowalaty
- Virology and Microbiology Research Laboratory & Antibiotic Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, University Rd, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO, Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. .,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Al-Qahtani AA, Alabsi ES, AbuOdeh R, Thalib L, El Zowalaty ME, Nasrallah GK. Prevalence of anelloviruses (TTV, TTMDV, and TTMV) in healthy blood donors and in patients infected with HBV or HCV in Qatar. Virol J 2016; 13:208. [PMID: 28031027 PMCID: PMC5198501 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0664-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anelloviruses (TTV, TTMV, and TTMDV) have been associated with non A-G hepatitis. The goal of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of these anelloviruses in Qatar. Methods A total of 607 blood samples (500 healthy donors, and 53 HBV-and 54 HCV-positive patients) representing different nationalities were tested for the presence of TTV, TTMV, and TTMDV DNA by nested PCR. Results Prevalence rates for the three viruses were high in all studied groups, and exceeding 95% in the HBV group (for TTV and TTMDV). Infection with more than one type of viruses was common and significant in most of the positive patients (p < 0.05) and ranging from 55.4% for TTV/TTMV and TTMV/TTMDV co-infections in the healthy group, to 96.3% for TTV/TTMV co-infections in the HBV group. Further, and as with most previous studies, no significant association was found between anelloviruses infections and age, nationality, or gender (p > 0.05) albeit the detection of higher infection rates among females and Qatari subjects. Conclusion This was the first published study to look at prevalence of Anellowviruses in the Middle East. High prevalence rates of the three viruses in all studied groups was noted. Further studies are needed to explore and compare the different genotypes of these viruses in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Qahtani
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Alfaisal University School of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Liver Disease Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Enas S Alabsi
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Raed AbuOdeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Lukman Thalib
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed E El Zowalaty
- Virology and Microbiology Research Laboratory & Antibiotic Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, University Rd, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Department Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. .,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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AbuOdeh R, Al-Mawlawi N, Al-Qahtani AA, Bohol MFF, Al-Ahdal MN, Hasan HA, AbuOdeh L, Nasrallah GK. Detection and genotyping of torque teno virus (TTV) in healthy blood donors and patients infected with HBV or HCV in Qatar. J Med Virol 2015; 87:1184-91. [PMID: 25676255 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Torque Teno virus (TTV) has been associated with non A-G hepatitis. The goal of this study was to estimate the infection rates and genotypic characteristics of TTV in the State of Qatar. A total of 644 blood samples representing different nationalities: (i) Qatari (118) and (ii) non-Qatari (526) nationals (mostly from Arab and South Eeast Asia countries) were tested for the presence of TTV DNA by nested PCR. The majority (573) of the blood samples belonged to healthy blood donors, whereas 54 and 53 of the blood samples belonged to patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), respectively. The results obtained showed that the TTV infection rates in the healthy blood donors, and those infected with HBV or HCV patients were 81.4, 90.75 and 84.9%, respectively. Significant association between TTV viremia and age, or nationality was observed. Sequence analysis of PCR fragments amplified from the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of all (531) TTV positive samples showed that 65.5% (348/531) of the PCR fragment sequences were classified into main genogroup 3, followed by main genogroups 5 (24%), 2 (5.8%), and 1 (4.7%). Genogroup 4 was not detected among the our studied subjects. Phylogenetic and pairwise analyses using sequences from TTV viremic samples also showed an overall close similarity to the main genogroup 3. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in the rates of TTV detection among Qataris and non-Qataris and several genotypes, mainly genotype 3, were isolated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed AbuOdeh
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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ElBakri A, Mogane L, Ezzedine S, AbuOdeh R, Bessong P, Potgeiter N, Samie A. Real Time PCR detection and prevalence determination of Cryptosporidium species in stool specimens from the United Arab Emirates. Int J Infect Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.03.757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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