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Background: Hydatidosis is a neglected global zoonotic disease, caused by larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus in human and animal. Because of high economic and medical importance of the disease, this study was performed to find the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis in Gorgan City, Golestan Province, northern Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from people referring to Reference laboratory of Golestan University of Medical sciences in 2017. A relevant questionnaire was completed for demographic data for each person. Echinococcus IgG antibody was investigated by ELISA using native antigen B. The data were analyzed using SPSS software applying logistic regression. Results: Overall, 612 blood samples were collected. Cut-off was considered 0.29. Sixteen cases (2.6%) were seropositive for hydatidosis. The seroprevalence of hydatidosis was 2.3% and 4.7% among males and females, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between the hydatidosis and investigated variables such as sex, age, tribes, residence, education, etc. Conclusion: The prevalence of human hydatidosis shows approximately the same range as other regions of Iran. Although due to the neighboring the Mazandaran Province reported as the highest seroprevalence of hydatidosis, we expected more rate of seropositivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus isolates from dogs and jackals in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, and using partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Methods: E. granulosus isolates (n = 15) were collected from 42 stray dogs and 16 jackals found in south of the Caspian Sea in northern Iran. After morphological study, the isolates were genetically characterized using consensus sequences (366bp) of the cox1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 nucleotide sequence data was performed using a Bayesian Inference approach. Results: Four different sequences were observed among the isolates. Two genotypes [G1 (66.7%) and G3 (33.3%)] were identified among the isolates. The G1 sequences indicated three sequence profiles. One profile (Maz1) had 100% homology with reference sequence (AN: KP339045). Two other profiles, designated Maz2 and Maz3, had 99% homology with the G1 genotype (ANs: KP339046 and KP339047). A G3 sequence designated Maz4 showed 100% homology with a G3 reference sequence (AN: KP339048). Conclusion: The occurrence of the G1 genotype of E. granulosus sensu stricto as a frequent genotype in dogs is emphasized. This study established the first molecular characterization of E. granulosus in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptosporidium is an intestinal protozean parasite causing water-borne and foodborne outbreaks of diarrheal diseases. The present study was performed in order to find prevalence and subtypes of Cryptosporidium among children with diarrhea in Gonbad Kavoos City, Northern Iran. Methods: Diarrheic samples were collected from 547 children. The initial parasitological diagnosis was made based on detection of oocysts using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining method. The positive microscopically samples were selected for sequence analysis of partial 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Results: Out of 547 collected samples, 27 (4.94%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Fifteen from 27 positive samples successfully amplified in PCR. Sequences analysis of gp60 gene in 15 Cryptoporidium isolates revealed that all of them (100%) were C.parvum. The results showed three subtypes of IIa subtype family (7 cases) including IIaA16G2R1, IIaA17G1R1, IIaA22G3R1 and one subtype of IId subtype family (8 cases). The most common allele was IId A17G1d (53.3%). Conclusion: The predominance of zoonotic subtype families of C.parvum species (IIa, IId) in the present study is in concordance with previous studies in Iran and emphasizes the significance of zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasites of human and warm- blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis is important especially in two groups: pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. If women acquire the primary infection during the pregnancy, it would be life threatening or remains severe disorders for the fetus. This study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women referred to Health Center in Gorgan City, Golestan Province, northern Iran. Methods: Serum samples were collected from pregnant women referred to Health Center in Gorgan City, south eastern Caspian Sea. Anti- Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were determined by commercially ELISA kits and the relation of infection with socio-demographic and risk factors such as age, education, occupation, cat ownership, soil contact and some other factors was studied. Results: From 555 tested sera of pregnant women referred to Health Center in Gorgan, 39.8% had IgG antibodies against T. gondii and 3.4% were positive for IgM antibodies. A significant correlation was seen between T. gondii infection with age and soil contact. Conclusion: About 60% of pregnant women in Gorgan City are seronegative against T. gondii, so they should considered as at risk persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study was aimed to investigate molecular diversity of Echinococcus granulosus isolates collected from human clinical samples using two mitochondrial genes cox1 and nad1 in Iran. Methods: Forty seven human hydatid cysts were collected through surgery from two hospitals in Tehran during 2010-2012. To determine the fertility of protoscoleces, the cyst fluids were subjected to morphological microscopic examinations. Protoscoleces were removed from each cyst and their total genomic DNAs were extracted. PCR was performed to amplify fragments of 450 and 400 base pair (bp) for cox1 and nad1 genes, respectively. Genotype diversity and sequence variation of the strains were studied by bioinformatics software and in comparison with those mtDNA sequences already deposited in GenBank. Results: Sixteen, (53.3%), 13 (43.3%), and 1 (3.3%) samples were related to lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. The remained 17 unfertile samples were excluded from the study. From the 29 isolates, 86.7% (n=26) and 10% (n=3) were related to G1, and G3 genotypes, respectively. The sole isolate with G6 genotype was obtained from lung sample. Analysis of concatenated sequences of cox1+nad1 indicated the presence of 11 haplotypes among our strains that were related to genotypes G1 (n=9), G3 (n=1) and G6 (n=1). Conclusion: In consistent to other reports from Iran, genotypes G1, G3, and G6 were observed in our human isolates. The rate of G3 genotype was however higher than other studies implying that human can be considered as a new appropriate host for G3 genotype. Further studies with more sample size from different geographic areas of Iran are needed for E. granulosus mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]