Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country's extreme weather conditions, poor sanitation, and weak economy facilitate the spread of parasitic diseases. Infections with intestinal parasites are particularly dangerous for children because they can cause malnutrition and anemia, which, in turn, have a negative effect on children's cognitive functions and physical development. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to assess hematological parameters in a group of children living in northern Madagascar. The screening was conducted in May 2024 in the Clinique Medicale Beyzym in Manerinerina, the Ambatoboeny district. It involved a sample of 208 children aged 0-17 years. Single stool samples were collected from all study participants. The samples were fixed in SAF fixative and then transported from Africa to Europe for further diagnostics at the Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine, the Military Institute of Medicine-the National Research Institute in Poland. First, the samples were analyzed by light microscopy methods using three different diagnostic techniques (direct smear, decantation with distilled water, and the Fülleborn method). Next, they were tested by molecular biology methods (real-time PCR). Blood samples for the assessment of hematological parameters were collected at the healthcare center in Madagascar. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study sample was 61.5%. Helminths were found in 15.2% of the investigated children, and (20.5%) was found to be the most prevalent parasite in the study population. Most infections were caused by potentially pathogenic stramenopila spp. (32.0%). Mean Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels in the study participants were below normal values. However, no correlation was found between the presence of a parasitic infection and low hematological parameters, which are a clinical sign of anemia. High rates of infections with intestinal parasites in children living in northern Madagascar support the necessity to introduce long-term preventive measures, which would limit the spread of parasitic diseases in the Malagasy population. Low hematological parameters in non-infected children may be indicative of persistent malnutrition or infection with other parasites, e.g., malaria or schistosomiasis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13110930 | DOI Listing |
Microbiome
December 2024
College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, People's Republic of China.
Background: Sheep coccidiosis is an infectious parasitic disease that primarily causes diarrhea and growth retardation in young animals, significantly hindering the development of the sheep breeding industry. Cereal grains and animal feeds are frequently contaminated with mycotoxins worldwide, with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) being the most common form. AFB1 poses a serious threat to gastrointestinal health upon ingestion and affects the function of parenteral organs, thus endangering livestock health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Infect Microbiol
December 2024
Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.
Introduction: is the most prevalent enteric protozoan parasite causing infectious diarrhea in neonatal calves worldwide with a direct negative impact on their health and welfare. This study utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) to deepen our understanding of intestinal epithelial barriers and transport mechanisms in the pathophysiology of infectious diarrhea in neonatal calves, which could potentially unveil novel solutions for treatment.
Methods: At day 1 of life, male Holstein-Friesian calves were either orally infected (n = 5) or not (control group, n = 5) with oocysts (in-house strain LE-01-Cp-15).
Cureus
November 2024
Medical Microbiology, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, SDN.
Schistosomiasis is considered the most widespread parasitic infection. Both and are present, and as waterborne infections, their epidemiology is closely associated with proximity and exposure to freshwater sources. The objective of the current study is to estimate the pooled prevalence of schistosomiasis among the Sudanese population and examine any associated sociocultural risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Vet Res
December 2024
College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
Background: Different areas of sheep infected with different types of parasites, all will cause serious harm to the local sheep, and the widespread use and repeated use of anthelmintics have produced different degrees of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in various regions. We re-investigated the infection of common parasites and AR of Gastrointestinal Nematodes (GINs) in sheep in Horqin Right Wing Front Banner, and first investigated the common parasite types and AR of GINs in sheep at other four areas in Hinggan league (city), China.
Results: A total of 1770 fecal samples were collected from 1 prefecture-level city and 4 counties in Hinggan league, in which the infection rate of Coccidia ranged from 83.
J Health Popul Nutr
December 2024
Central Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University Central Campus, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Despite years of a national deworming campaign, the incidence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remains relatively high among certain ethnic groups, with lifestyle factors distinct from those of the general population. Despite existing studies on the prevalence of IPIs, there is limited research exploring the contextual associated factors within the Badi Indigenous community. Our objective in this study was to assess the prevalence of IPIs in the indigenous Badi community of Gurbhakot Municipality, Surkhet, Nepal, considering socioeconomic, lifestyle, and behavioral factors.
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