Background. Toxocariasis is an important health problem caused by the parasitic species Toxocara canis (T. canis) and Toxocara cati (T. cati). Prevalence of toxocariasis in pregnant women as a ...vulnerable population is doubly important, and the aim of this study is to estimate the overall prevalence of toxocariasis infection in pregnant women according to the available reports. Methods. The present study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklists. A systematic search was carried out in international scientific databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PubMed) between 1990 and 2023. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was estimated with a random-effects model. All analyses (overall prevalence, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis) were performed with comprehensive meta-analysis (V2.2, Bio stat) software. Results. Amid the final eleven included studies, based on the random-effects model, the estimation of the pooled prevalence of Toxocara spp. was 20.8% (95% CI, 9.8–38.7%). The association between the risk factors of toxocariasis and the prevalence of the disease was not statistically significant. Conclusions. In the present study, significant prevalence was reported; however, considering the limited number of studies, it seems that the actual prevalence of the disease is higher. Therefore, it seems necessary to monitor this health problem in pregnant women.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Trichomonas tenax (T. tenax) is a commensal flagellated protozoan found in periodontal microenvironment of the oral cavity, with a possible role in periodontal diseases. The purpose of the present ...systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the worldwide prevalence of T. tenax infection and to show the neglected association of this parasitic infection with oral diseases.
To find literatures published until August 2020, five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were explored. Finally, 65 papers were qualified to be included in the current study.
Our results revealed a global pooled prevalence of 17% (95% CI 14-22%) for T. tenax infection. The highest prevalence was estimated at 56% (42-69%) in Chile, while the lowest prevalence was related to Kenya with 3% (1-6%). The age-based analysis found that the infection was most common in 46-55 mean age group with 15% (0-100%). The overall prevalence regarding culture method, molecular method and direct method was 21% (12-32%), 19% (8-35%) and 17% (12-23%), respectively. Moreover, the subgroup analysis showed the pooled prevalence in patient with candidiasis 22% (3-52%), gingivitis 21% (9-36%) and periodontitis 27% (10-48%).
Our study specified a connection between T. tenax protozoa and periodontitis disease. However, more epidemiological studies as well as clinical trials are needed to precisely identify this relation.
In the present study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the global and regional seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. and associated risk factors among children.
The present ...systematic review and meta-analysis was followed based on the Preferred Reporting. Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. We searched the online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and Google Scholar search engine for studies that measured seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. among children, published between 1 January 2000 and 15 January 2022. Accordingly, the pooled seroprevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model.
A total of 65 articles from 22 countries met the inclusion criteria. The global seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection among children was estimated as 25% (95% CI 22-29). Meta-regression analysis showed that the type of population studied (p = 0.002) and year of publication (p = 0.044) it may be the source of heterogeneity. The highest and lowest pooled seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection were estimated in Thailand and Colombia as 58.2% (95% CI 50.9-65.5) and 7.04% (95% CI 3.05-11.3), respectively. Male gender was associated with a higher risk of Toxocara spp. compared to females, and this association was statistically significant (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.09-1.41, p = 0.001). However, residing in rural areas did not show a statistically significant increase in risk compared to living in urban areas (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 0.88-2.21, p = 0.143).
Toxocariasis is common among children, hence, prevention and control scheme of this helminth in children should be considered by health officials and health policymakers, especially in developing countries, where seroprevalence is highest.
Objectives
It has been generally believed that women who exposed to Toxoplasma gondii before pregnancy and have anti‐T. gondii IgG antibody are immunized and their newborns will be protected from ...congenital infection. This study is aimed to investigate the role of T. gondii infection in spontaneous abortion through serological and molecular methods in southern Iran.
Study design
Blood samples were taken from 50 spontaneously aborted mothers and anti‐T. gondii antibodies were assessed using conventional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and avidity ELISA methods. The placenta and blood samples of aborted women were used for detection of the parasite's DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method targeting the RE gene. The parasite genotypes were determined by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using SAG3 and GRA6 genes.
Results
IgG antibody was detected in 28% (14/50) of mothers, but all samples were negative for IgM antibody. In the avidity ELISA test, 26% (13/50) of the samples had a high avidity index, suggesting chronic infection, while a low avidity index was detected in one case (2%), which suggests acute infection. The parasite's DNA was detected in 18% (9/50) and 14% (7/50) of blood and placenta samples, respectively. All DNA positive samples were IgG positive. All isolates were belonged to the T. gondii type III genotype.
Conclusion
The results suggest that T. gondii seropositive women are not protected from congenital transmission. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously until further studies will be confirmed these results.
Abstract
Although the presence of free-living amoebae (FLAs) in various water sources has been reported, few studies have been surveyed on their abundance in medical-unit and dental-unit water ...samples. The current study aimed to identify morphological and molecular characteristics of FLA isolates in the water samples of the dental unit in Iran. A total of 232 water samples were collected from 17 dental units. Then, filtration and cultivation were conducted on a non-nutrient agar (NNA) medium. Also, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and sequencing were performed by using the genus/species-specific primers plus a common primer set on positive samples. One hundred and sixty-six samples were positive for FLA by the microscopic method, whereas 114 samples were positive by the molecular method with a common primer set. Considering the PCR assay with genus/species-specific primers, 23.27% (54/232) samples were identified as Acanthamoeba spp. (belonging to T4 genotype), 36.63% (85/232) as Vermamoeba vermiformis, and 1.72% (4/232) as Vahlkampfiidae family (Naegleria lovaniensis). These results highlight a need to improve filtration systems in dental units and periodic screenings for FLA in dental-unit water.
Helminth infections are among the most common infectious diseases in underdeveloped countries. Helminths suppress the host immune responses and consequently mitigate vaccine efficacy and increase ...severity of other infectious diseases. Helminth co-infections might suppress the efficient immune response against SARS-CoV-2 at the early stage of the infection and may increase morbidity and mortality of COVID-19.
Scabies is a skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. We report disseminated scabies in a 2‐month‐old girl as well as eczematoid lesions in her mother. The diagnosis was made by skin ...scraping and microscopic examination of the crusts. The patients were successfully treated with permethrin cream (5%).
We report a case of disseminated scabies in a 2‐month‐old infant. Scabies is a skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The diagnosis was made by skin scraping and microscopic examination of the crusts. The patients were successfully treated with permethrin cream (5%).
Background. Migraine is one of the most common types of headache, and it is the second most common cause of neurological disorders, with an annual prevalence of about 15% of the population. This ...study aimed to evaluate the effect of BoNT-A on the duration and intensity of migraine attacks. In addition, we investigated the effective injection sites. Methods. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from 2011 to 2021. Results. A total of 24 articles were included in the study. The use of BoNT-A in individuals suffering from chronic migraine (CM) decreases the frequency of migraine attacks per month, pain intensity, medication use, emergency visits, and migraine-related disabilities. The BoNT-A was well tolerated and leads to improved performance and better quality of life (QoL). Overall, treatment with BoNT-A in adults with CM is beneficial. In addition, the use of BoNT-A in individuals with vestibular migraine (VM) reduces the frequency of migraines and brings about the improvement of disability status caused by migraine headaches. Meanwhile, the use of BoNT-A reduces the frequency of migraine attacks per month among individuals with chronic refractory migraine (CRM). Conclusions. The use of BoNT-A is a low-cost option for the treatment of various kinds of migraines, including chronic, episodic, unilateral, and vestibular types. BoNT-A can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks per month and diminish the severity of pain.
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