Toxoplasmosis resulting from infection with the Toxoplasma parasite has become an endemic disease worldwide. Recently, a few studies have reported a high prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infections among ...Saudi Arabian women. This disease could become life threatening for pregnant women and for immunodeficient people. There is evidence that infections during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism disorder represents one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide; it is associated with delayed language development, weak communication interaction, and repetitive behavior. The relationship between prenatal toxoplasmosis and autism in childhood remains unclear. The present study aims to report a link between maternal toxoplasmosis and autistic offspring among Saudi Arabian women.
Blood samples (36 maternal, 36 from their non-autistic children, and 36 from their autistic children) were collected for serological and molecular evaluation.
A toxoplasmosis infection was reported for 33.34% of participants using an ELISA assay (5.56% IgG+/IgM+, 11.11% IgG-/IgM+, and 16.67% IgG+/IgM-); however, a nested PCR assay targeting B1 toxoplasmosis specific genes recorded positive tests for 80.56% of the samples. In addition, the present study detected several points of mutation of mtDNA including NADH dehydrogenase (ND1, ND4) and Cyt B genes and the nDNA pyruvate kinase (PK) gene for autistic children infected with toxoplasmosis.
Considering previous assumptions, we suggest that a maternal toxoplasmosis infection could have a role in the development of childhood autism linked to mtDNA and nDNA impairment.
Trypanosoma evansi is the leading infectious Trypanosoma spp. in camels (Camelus dromedarius) present in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that could lead to extensive economic losses. The present ...study was aimed to assess the prevalence rate of T. evansi in Taif governorate, Makkah province, KSA using parasitological and molecular evaluations, and analyze their genetic relationship targeting internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes. For evaluation, we have used 102 blood samples of camels obtained from three different regions in Taif.
Results show a considerable prevalence rate of trypanosomosis 2/102 (2.0%) according to Giemsa-stained buffy coat smear, and 16/102 (15.7%) according to touchdown PCR. T. evansi (n = 10/102, 9.8%) was the main infectious species found in camels then T. vivax (n = 3/102, 2.9%). Mixed infections were detected in three camels with T. evansi, T. vivax, and T. congolense (n = 3/102, 2.9%). Regarding gender, the results indicate that female camels (11/66, 16.7%) show higher prevalence of Trypanosoma than males (5/36, 13.9%). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of ITS1 and VSG showed their relationships with T. evansi in other hosts from different countries.
In our peer knowledge, it is the first time to report a research-based prevalence of trypanosomosis in the camels of Taif governorate, Makkah province, KSA.
Taeniids, consisting of two genera
and
, are obligatory tapeworms of mammals, and their pathogenicity was due to infection with larval stages. Hydatid (the larval stage of
) and coenurus (the larval ...stage of
) cysts are prevalent in domestic, wild ruminants, livestock, swine, and dogs, and accidentally they could also be found in humans. They lead to different clinical manifestations that cause economic loss in livestock and human morbidity. In Saudi Arabia, few studies were performed on hydatid and coenurus cyst genetic variations. The main goal of the present study was to identify
and
cyst isolates collected from slaughtered Harri sheep in Saudi Arabia by partial sequencing with PCR amplification of the cytochrome C oxidase 1 (
1) gene. Molecular and phylogenetic evaluation based on
1 sequences indicated that cyst isolates belong to
and
, respectively, successfully submitted in NCBI Genbank. Molecular characterization showed a low nucleotide diversity with two submitted isolates of coenurus with related isolates of Genbank. Conversely,
isolates showed higher nucleotide diversity. The reported data could serve as a foundation for future molecular epidemiological and biological studies.
Intestinal parasite infection (IPI) is a declining global health problem. However, in certain parts of the world, the misconception that certain diseases are avoided owing to the existence of ...prevention strategies, medication and the frequency of awareness campaigns remains underestimated. Recent studies in Saudi Arabia have reported high prevalence rates for IPI; however, the prevalence in Saudi Arabia varies from city to city and from age group to age group. Moreover, the most prevalent causative species vary in different areas of Saudi Arabia due to differences in the characteristics of emerging populations. The prevalence of IPI has also been correlated with multiple risk factors, such as age, gender, health awareness, health habits and socioeconomic status. Therefore, more attention should be given to IPIs in Saudi Arabia and the risk factors should be better addressed to monitor and reduce the spread of parasite infections, particularly among younger children. Keywords: Prevalence, intestinal parasite infection, Saudi children, age, gender phrase omitted
Microplastics (MPs) have been documented in different foodstuffs and beverages, that could affect human health due to their ingestion. Furthermore, seafood contamination with MPs puts pillars of food ...availability and utilization at risk. The present study investigates MPs and toxic elements pollution in commercially canned fishes from Taif governorate markets. Seven different canned fishes’ brands were used in the present study from different manufacturer countries and purchased from Taif markets. Tissue samples were digested by 10% of KOH; then, dry filters were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to detect MPs. Filtrates were used to detect any potentially toxic elements by inductively coupled plasma. Different MPs were detected in edible tissue, such as canned Tuna contaminated with nylon, 1,2-polybutadiene, and ethylene vinyl alcohol. Sardines contain ethylene vinyl alcohol and poly(vinyl stearate), but Salmon does not have any MPs. Different elements were present in the selected samples in the decreasing order of Al > Se > Zn and traces of As and Sb. Canned fishes were contaminated with MPs and potentially toxic elements. This contamination could be a warning of the potential health risks with the long-term exposure. Therefore, it is recommended to include micro-, meso-, and even nanoplastics in the guidelines of testing food safety management systems.
Seaweed draws a lot of attention for its vital role in aquaculture as it contains beneficial biological compounds that undoubtedly might help in the development of this field. The current study sheds ...light on the potential efficiency of dietary supplements of
Grateloupia acuminata
and
G. doryphore
(Halymeniaceae) nanoparticles (GNS) at different levels with bionanocomposite cellulose acetate membranes (CA/bio-AgNps) on improved growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immunity, antioxidative, resistance against infectious pathogens, and characterization of water quality treated with CA/bio-AgNps that is used in rearing Nile tilapia (
Oreochromis niloticus
). Four concentrations (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 ml/L) of GNS extract were tested as potential anti-bacterial and for the efficacy of being parasitic. Fish with an average weight (24.46 ± 0. 50 g) were apportioned into six experimental groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) represented as 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0% GNS in diets with CA/bio-AgNps, respectively. Injection of fish with
Aeromonas hydrophila
was performed at the end of the trial. Chemical and bacteriological water indices significantly showed improvement after being treated with CA/bio-AgNps than the control group. Growth, carcass composition, digestive enzyme, and hematological and biochemical indices were significantly noticed positive (
p<
0.05), especially T4 and T5, than the control group. In parallel, a significant improvement was noticed in serum lysozyme, total immunoglobulin, complement C3, antioxidative enzyme, and the relative expression of hepatic and inflammatory genes with an increased level of GNS (
p<
0.05) are upregulated than the control group. Remarkably, GNS-supplemented diets and extracts provided positive efficacy against
A. hydrophila
with a decreased percentage of fish mortality, besides efficacy on antibacterial strains and
Cichlidogyrus tilapiae
, respectively. To sum up, the seaweed extract with CA/bio-AgNps resulted in better growth performance of fish, antipathogenic effect, and health status. Furthermore, CA/bio-AgNps were vital in improving water characteristics. They should be studied and applied more in the future.
Stress-induced epidemic parasites and bacterial diseases are becoming a typical occurrence in fish aquaculture across the globe, those consider deadly infectious pathogens. To prevent losses on fish ...farms, it is crucial to obtain information on the infection severity and the characteristics of those diseases which have been peaked for fish farms and lead to mass mortality. This study investigates the effect of dual parasitic and bacterial infection on farmed tilapia, which leads to losses in farmed fish; focuses on the harmful effect of polluted water on speared infections in farming. During the production season, water and fish specimens were taken from private fish farms in El-Sharkia and Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, particularly during significant mortality times. The infected and uninfected fish samples were examined to determine bacteriological, parasitological, haemato-biochemical indices, immune responses, and pathologic changes besides water analysis in fish farming in the study area. It was discovered that fish were significantly infected with
Centrocestus formosanus
encysted metacercariae and/or
Cichlidogyrus tilapiae
, Heterophyes spp. Also, three species of gram-negative:
Aeromonas hydrophila
,
A. sobria
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
and two Gram-positive cocci:
Streptococcus agalactiae
and
Enterococcus faecalis
. Identification of bacterial isolates was confirmed by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results demonstrated substantial (
P
<
0.05
) output losses in both farms. Results displayed negative effects of dual infection on the lost weight, whole-body biochemical, haemato-biochemical indices, digestive enzyme, immune responses, gene expression, and abnormal features histopathology in different organs of infected Nile tilapia. At the same time, most of the water Indices strayed considerably from standards. Thus, the obtained data indicated the detrimental impacts of dual infection and water quality deterioration on the health condition of Nile tilapia and might help us acquire a deeper understanding of yield loss as potentially severe economic repercussions for fish farms.
Background: The study of intestinal parasites that occur in stray dogs in the Taif region, KSA, is most important since there is little data available on this subject. Methods: Dog fecal samples were ...collected from 129 dogs in three different areas. Fecal samples were processed and analyzed by different mount techniques including, parasitological examination, wet-mount preparation and modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast technique.
Result: The total prevalence of enteric parasites was 115 positive cases; for helminths was (62.7%) and for protozoa (26.3%). Mixed infection was higher than single infection in three areas. The total prevalence of helminths eggs by different mount preparation recovered from fecal sample examination from single or mixed form E. granulosus, T. canis and T. vulpis was of high infection rate (15.5%), (10.07%), (10.07%), followed by A. lumbercoides (7.7 %). Finally, T. leonine (6.9%), both A. caninum and A. braziliense are of the same percentage (6.2%). Concerning single and mixed protozoa infection, Giardia was of a high prevalence (16.2%), followed by Cryptosporidium (8.5%) and finally E. histolytica (1.5%) in fecal samples of doges. These data revealed that infection levels of parasites in stray dogs in the studied areas were high, knowing that this is the first study for mixed infections between dogs and humans in KSA.
Microplastics (MPs), as a physical anthropogenic contaminant, represent a serious, human health concern due to their toxicity and ability to act as vectors for other pollutants and pathogens. This ...study aimed to screen for MP contamination in marine fish in Taif market, Saudi Arabia. A total of 22 fish species were used according to their different marine habitats and feedings. We have focused on extracting MPs from gills and muscles using KOH digestion. Nile red dye was used for the MP identification under fluorescence microscopy followed by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. This study has reported MP contamination in gills and muscles of all the studied fish, in which poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) was present in epipelagic species, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(2,4,6,-tribromostyrene) (PtBS) were present in pelagic species, and PtBS and chlorosulfonated polyethylene were present in demersal/benthopelagic species. Moreover, benthic fish samples contain PtBS particles; reef-associated species have three different MP particles/fiber PtBS, PVDF, and poly(vinyl formal) and the rest of the studied species samples contain PtBS. The results highlight that the MP pollution increased to reach different species from the pelagic species to the benthic ones. PtBS as a type of polystyrene was the most dominant MP found in most species.
Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species-and the best-known-are those in the subclassEucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known ...astapeworms.The results reported that about 9.94% of selected sheep were infected with tape worms in native breed. Concerning the seasonal incidence of tape worms among sheep, the results revealed that the highest percentage was recorded during winter season (11.3%), while the lowest percentage was recorded during the spring (7.72%). The species of tape worms recorded were Moniezea expansa, Moniezea benedene, Avitellina centripunctata, Thysaniezia giardia and Stilesia hepatic. Molecular characterization of Al Taif Moniezia species cox1 gene records four different species Me Taif1, Me Taif2, Me Taif3 and Me Taif4, that have identity ranged from 90 to 99% to species in Senegal and Ethiopia (Me13, Me14 and Me22). In vitro treatment of Monizia spp. with different concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 50 μglml) of Spirulina platensis extract (Blue-green Algae) affects the morphological architecture of tape worms by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that Spirulina platensis extract treatment, especially for higher doses 30 and 50 μglml, caused the sucker opening to narrow as a result of scolex swelling more than usual, deformation of the proglottids occurred with circular areas of declare swelling along their margins and microtriches covering the whole tegument appears in several directions. In conclusion, as per of our knowledge it is the first time to record new species of Moniezia species in Al Taif governorate and the anthelmintic potential of Spirulina platensis.
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