Intestinal coccidian parasites as an underestimated cause of travellers’ diarrhoea in Polish immunocompetent patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matylda Kłudkowska ◽  
Łukasz Pielok ◽  
Krystyna Frąckowiak ◽  
Małgorzata Paul
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Diarrhoea ◽  
Microscopical Examination ◽  
Coccidian Parasite ◽  
Gastrointestinal Infections ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Coccidian Parasites ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

AbstractIntestinal coccidian parasites are intracellular protozoa most frequently transmitted during food-borne and water-borne infections. This group of parasites is responsible for acute diarrhoeal illnesses especially among immunocompromised patients. However, they are more frequently detected in immunocompetent individuals including travellers, and they should also be considered as important etiologic factors of travellers’ diarrhoea. We examined 221 immunocompetent patients hospitalized due to acute or chronic diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from international journeys to hot climates. A basic microscopical examination and acid – fast staining of stool samples was performed. Each patient was also a part of the epidemiological investigation to define potential risk factors of tropical gastrointestinal infections. Intestinal coccidiosis was confirmed in 12 out of 221 successively hospitalized patients (5.4%). The most common coccidian parasite was

scholarly journals Refractory Giardiasis in an Immunosuppressed Patient in Turkey

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 204-207
Author(s):  
Filiz Kaya ◽  
Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya ◽  
Salih Maçin ◽  
Yakut Akyön ◽  
Sibel Ergüven
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Chronic Diarrhoea ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patient ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Giardia Infection ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Higher Doses ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis. In immunocompetent patients the infection is usually self-limited and no treatment may be needed. Immunodeficiency, however, is a predisposing factor for the development of severe Giardia infection. In this report, a case of recurrent giardiasis refractory to nitroimidazoles and nitazoxanides presented. A 28-year-old male patient with hypogammaglobulinemia admitted to our hospital because of chronic diarrhoea. Microscopic examination of stool revealed a high number of Giardia trophozoites and cysts. Treatment with higher doses and a longer course of metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ornidazole and albendazole failed. Administration of nitazoxanide, which has been reported to be effective against Giardia duodenalis refractory to nitroimidazoles, was commenced, but his symptoms persisted and stool samples demonstrated Giardia trophozoites and cysts again.

scholarly journals Parasitic infections in Swiss children: Are we overtesting?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Légeret ◽  
Céline Rüttimann ◽  
Hans Fankhauser ◽  
Henrik Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Positive Result ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Stool Specimens

Abstract Background A wide variation of causes can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in children- an infection with parasites is one of them. The expansion of international travel might lead to an increase in testing children for a correspondent infection. Currently there are no guidelines available, which patients should be tested for a possible parasitical infection. The aim of the study was to characterize Swiss children suffering from intestinal parasites, in order to provide more knowledge for the clinician who should be tested. Methods This is a retrospective study of Swiss pediatric patients, whose stools have been tested for parasites and helminths. Results A total of 1855 stool samples, belonging to 572 different children with an average age of 7.9 years, were tested within a 10-year period. The prevalence of a positive result was 4.2%, of which all were positive for Blastocystis, and 12.5% had a co-infection with Endolimax nana. Conclusion Immigrants, immune compromised children with diarrhea and pediatric patients with bloody or protracted diarrhea should have 2 different stool specimens examined for a possible parasitical infection.

scholarly journals Seasonal Differences in Cyclospora cayetanensis Prevalence in Colombian Indigenous People

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Hagen Frickmann ◽  
Juliane Alker ◽  
Jessica Hansen ◽  
Juan Carlos Dib ◽  
Andrés Aristizabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous People ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Fecal-orally transmitted cyclosporiasis is frequent in remote resource-limited settings in Central and South America with poor hygiene conditions. In this study, we aimed at assessing seasonal effects on the epidemiology of colonization or infection with C. cayetanensis in Colombian indigenous people living under very restricted conditions. In the rainy season between July and November and in the dry season between January and April, stool samples from indigenous people with and without gastrointestinal symptoms were collected and screened for C. cayetanensis applying in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the rainy season and in the dry season, positive PCR results were observed for 11.8% (16/136) and 5.1% (15/292), respectively, with cycle threshold (Ct) values of 30.6 (±3.4) and 34.4 (±1.6), respectively. Despite higher parasite loads in the rainy season, fewer individuals (2/16, 12.5%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms compared to the dry season (6/15, 40%). In conclusion, considerable prevalence of C. cayetanensis in Colombian indigenous people persists in the dry season. Low proportions of gastrointestinal symptoms along with higher parasite loads make colonization likely rather than infection.

A new coccidian parasite (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae: Eimeria) from the southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus (Reptilia: Ophidia: Colubridae) from Arkansas, USA

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 558-562
Author(s):  
Chris T. McAllister ◽  
John A. Hnida ◽  
Henry W. Robison
Keyword(s):  
Polar Granule ◽  
Stieda Body ◽  
Coccidian Parasite ◽  
Sporocyst Residuum ◽  
Coluber Constrictor ◽  
Coccidian Parasites ◽  
Oocyst Residuum

AbstractBetween April 2012 and October 2017, 18 southern black racers,Coluber constrictor priapus, were collected from nine counties of Arkansas (n= 13) and McCurtain County, Oklahoma (n= 5) and their faeces examined for coccidian parasites. One of 18 (6%)C. c. priapusharboured an eimerian that we describe here as new. Oocysts ofEimeria dunnisp. nov. were subspheroidal with a lightly pitted bi-layered wall measuring L × W 24.0 × 21.1 and L/W ratio of 1.2. A micropyle was absent but an oocyst residuum and polar granule were present. Sporocysts were ovoidal and measured 11.9 × 8.1 with L/W of 1.5. A Stieda body was present but substieda and parastieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of medium-sized granules aligned along perimeter of sporocyst or in a dispersed mass. This represents the first valid eimerian reported from the southern black racer.

scholarly journals Investigation of neglected protists Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in immunocompetent and immunodeficient diarrheal patients using both conventional and molecular methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. e0009779
Author(s):  
Fakhriddin Sarzhanov ◽  
Funda Dogruman-Al ◽  
Monica Santin ◽  
Jenny G. Maloney ◽  
Ayse Semra Gureser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Dientamoeba Fragilis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Generation Sequencing ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

Introduction The clinical significance of Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms is a controversial issue. Since the pathogenicity of these protists has not been fully elucidated, testing for these organisms is not routinely pursued by most laboratories and clinicians. Thus, the prevalence of these organisms and the subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in human patients in Turkey are not well characterized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in the diarrheic stool samples of immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients using conventional and molecular methods and to identify Blastocystis sp. subtypes using next generation sequencing. Material and methods Individual stool specimens were collected from 245 immunodeficient and 193 immunocompetent diarrheic patients between March 2017 and December 2019 at the Gazi University Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Samples were screened for Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis by conventional and molecular methods. Molecular detection of both protists was achieved by separate qPCRs targeting a partial fragment of the SSU rRNA gene. Next generation sequencing was used to identify Blastocystis sp. subtypes. Results The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis was 16.7% and 11.9%, respectively as measured by qPCR. The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis was lower in immunodeficient patients (12.7% and 10.6%, respectively) compared to immunocompetent patients (21.8% and 13.5%, respectively). Five Blastocystis sp. subtypes were identified and the following subtype distribution was observed: ST3 54.4% (n = 37), ST2 16.2% (n = 11), ST1 4.4% (n = 3), ST6 2.9% (n = 2), ST4 1.5% (n = 1), ST2/ST3 11.8% (n = 8) and ST1/ST3 8.8% (n = 6). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes between immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients. Conclusion and recommendation Our findings demonstrated that Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis are commonly present in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients with diarrhea. This study is the first to use next generation sequencing to address the presence of Blastocystis sp. mixed subtypes and intra-subtype variability in clinical samples in Turkey.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Infection with Soil Transmitted Helminths in Children from Bandjoun, the West Region of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-43
Author(s):  
Vanessa Rosine Nkouayep ◽  
Peter Nejsum ◽  
Dzune Fossouo Dirane Cleopas ◽  
Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia ◽  
Atiokeng Tatang Rostand Joël ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
National Programme ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽  
Ancylostoma Duodenale ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) continue to be a public health problem in developing countries. In Bandjoun, annual deworming is usually administered to school-age children through the national programme for the control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Cameroon. However, official data on the level of STH infections are scarce in this locality. Methods: We investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of STHs among children in Bandjoun with the intention to help design future intervention plans. We obtained demographic data and potential risk factors through the interview of children using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples from these children were collected and examined for helminth eggs using Willis’ technique. Results: Three STHs were identified with an overall prevalence of 8.7%. These nematodes were Ascaris lumbricoides (8.3%), Trichuris trichiura (0.3%) and hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus) (0.7%). Failure to wash hands before meals (AOR: 2.152 [1.056-4.389]) was the main predictor associated with Ascaris infections. Not eating food picked up from the ground (AOR: 0.494 [0.261-0.937]) and not raising pigs at home (AOR: 0.109 [0.045-0.268]) reduced risk of infection. Conclusion: We recommend that STHs control interventions in Bandjoun focus on the good management of domesticated pigs, the avoidance of contact with soil and handwashing from the earliest ages as a part of daily hygiene practice.

scholarly journals Prevalence of diarrhoea, and associated risk factors, in children aged 0-5 years, at two hospitals in Umuahia, Abia, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Adanma Florence Nwaoha ◽  
Camelita Chima Ohaeri ◽  
Ebube Charles Amaechi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
The Government ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
And Control

Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of infectious mor­bidity and mortality in children under five years of age. This study aimed at identifying the most common parasites and potential risk factors for diarrhoea among children 0-5 years attending Abia State Specialist hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, in south east­ern Nigeria. We used 400 faecal samples from children with diarrhoea –and 200 without– in combination with hospital-based case control and a questionnaire Stool samples were processed with direct normal saline and formal-ether sedimentation method for parasitological stud­ies. More males than females were infected in nearly all age groups in both diarrhoeal and control groups (X2=23.04, df=1, P<0.05: X2=11.52, df=1, P<0.05 respectively). Amachara had more infections (X2=0.15, df=1, P< 0.05). January had the highest rate of infection (22.5%). Main clinical features were watery depositions over 3 times a day, diarrhoea lasting for days, fever, vomiting, and dehydration. Mothers learned about the problem through health workers, television and in medical centers. Risk correlated with mother’s education, occupation, latrine type, waste water disposal, hand washing, kitchen cleaning; sources and storage of water; and bottle milk (P< 0.05).Ignorance greatly con­tributed to the spread of parasitic disease in the area: the government should improve education and other strategies to alleviate the spread of the disease..

scholarly journals A norovirus outbreak triggered by copper intoxication on a coach trip from the Netherlands to Germany, April 2010

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Hoefnagel ◽  
D H van de Weerdt ◽  
O Schaefer ◽  
R Koene
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Toxic Concentration ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Copper Intoxication

We report an unusual outbreak of norovirus infection on a coach trip. Overall, 30 of 40 people (including drivers and crew) developed nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea, 11 of them on the first day of the trip. The incidence epidemic curve showed a first peak on Day 1 and a second on Day 4. Nine passengers were hospitalised with gastrointestinal symptoms. Norovirus was found in stool samples from two patients, but the infection could not explain the first peak in the epidemic curve only a few hours after departure. Interviews with the passengers and an inspection of the coach and its water supply implicated the water used for coffee and tea as the potential source. Microbiological investigations of the water were negative, but chemical analysis showed a toxic concentration of copper. Blood copper levels as well as renal and liver function were determined in 28 of the 32 passengers who had been exposed to the water. One passenger who did not have gastrointestinal symptoms had an elevated copper level of 25.9 µmol/L, without loss of liver or renal function. It is likely that the spread of norovirus was enhanced because of vomiting of one of the passengers due to copper intoxication.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors associated with Campylobacter among layer farms

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Q. Al-Natour ◽  
Akram R. Al-Aboudi ◽  
Musa A. Alshehabat ◽  
MT K. Tamimi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Residual Chlorine ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Poultry Products ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Free Residual Chlorine

Campylobacter jejuni is an important food-borne pathogen. The main source of this pathogen is poultry and poultry products. Poultry farms of low biosecurity level plays major role in disseminating this pathogen. The objectives of this study were to investigate the occurrence of Campylobacter and identify potential risk factors associated with their presence in layer farms in Northern Jordan. A total of 2524 samples from chickens, litter, water and feed were collected from 35-layer farms. Samples underwent conventional and enrichment isolation methods for Campylobacter. Confirmation was done morphologically, biochemically and by PCR typing. The flock-level prevalence of C. jejuni was 40%, 37%, 20% in chicken cloacae, drinking water and litter respectively. C. jejuni was the only confirmed isolated species. None of the feed samples revealed presence of Campylobacter. The concentration of free residual chlorine was below the recommended standard levels. The risk factors were identified using modified semi-structured questionnaire. There was no significant association between evaluated risk factors and isolation status potentially reflecting small number of study farms. The prevalence rate for C. jejuni is within commonly reported range. High stocking density, short distance between farms, improper hygienic practice and low water chlorine level seems to increase occurrence rate of Campylobacter in layer farms. Educational biosecurity programs regarding C. jejuni transmission and their public health importance needs to be established.

scholarly journals Current Approaches to the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Infections: Focus on Nitazoxanide

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. CMT.S2297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Halsey
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Taenia Saginata ◽  
Gastrointestinal Infections ◽  
Oral Tablet ◽  
Acceptable Safety Profile ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum agent active against several protozoa, helminths, and bacteria, including C. difficile and H. pylori. It is available as an oral tablet and suspension, both with adequate bioavailability. Nitazoxanide is associated with minimal side effects, has an acceptable safety profile, and has been classified as a pregnancy category B agent. It is 99% protein bound, which could result in drug interactions. It is the preferred agent for the treatment of Cryptospordiosis and Giardiasis in immunocompetent patients and has shown promise for the treatment of rotavirus, mild to moderate initial C. difficile infection, refractory C. difficile infection, Amoebiasis, Blastocystosis, and Taenia saginata.

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