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Background: We aimed to compare semi-nested PCR with indirect ELISA to diagnose human fasciolosis. Methods: Overall, 70 serum samples were collected from different areas in Iran suspected for fascioliasis. Individuals were classified based on diagnostic of fascioliasis and habitat in endemic areas. Finally, all serum samples were tested by indirect ELISA (using secretory excretory antigen) and semi-nested PCR (using ITS1 gene). The study was conducted in the School of Publish Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2021. Results: Significant differences were found between agreement and similarity of patients' results of indirect ELISA and semi-nested PCR 94.46% and 98.4% respectively (Cohen's kappa ≥0.6; P-value≤0.05). No cross-reactions were observed with other parasitic diseases (toxocariasis, hydatidosis, strongyloidiasis, toxoplasmosis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, taeniasis and trichinosis). 69.84% of samples were positive by both techniques. In addition, the percentage of agreement and similarity between the results of the two techniques based on habitat in endemic areas was 88.9-100% and 97.7-100%, respectively (Cohen's kappa ≥0.6; P-value≤0.05). Conclusion: Semi-nested PCR could be a suitable method for following up on patients' treatment and a confirmatory method for ELISA as for diagnosis of human fascioliasis.

Background: Parasitoses are among the most important problems of most countries especially developing countries. We aimed to detect the situation of intestinal parasitic infections in the Farashband district in Fars Province South of Iran and identify influential factors in the escalation of parasitic diseases and to reduce them. Methods: Overall, 1009 participants from the age of 6 months to 90 years were selected from 3 cities and 15 villages of Farashband district, Fars Province South of Iran from 2015 to 2016. Parasitological methods such as the direct assay method, formalin-ether concentration method, and zinc sulfate flotation were used for diagnosis of worm eggs, cysts, and protozoa trophozoite. Susceptible and protozoan positive samples were stained using the Trichrome staining method. The modified acid-fast staining procedure was conducted for diarrheal samples and the results were used for diagnosis of coccidia. Results: Overall, 313 subjects were infected with at least one intestinal parasite (pathogenic and nonpathogenic). Helminthes infection and protozoan infection were observed in 9 (0.9%) and 304 (30.13%) participants, respectively. Fecal samples of 34 patients with diarrheal feces were used to prepare smears for further examinations using the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Examinations showed no infection with coccidia. Conclusion: Helminthes infection has decreased drastically but protozoan infection is still considered a health issue in this region. It is possible to reduce parasitic infections through proper measures such as increasing public awareness and education the public, especially children on health problems with education courses.

Background: Rodents are considered as reservoirs of various zoonotic diseases including helminthic infections. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of helminth infections in rodents, in Boyer-Ahmad district, Southwestern Iran. Methods: Overall, 52 rodents were captured from various areas of the district by Sherman live traps. The animals were then euthanized and dissected. During necropsy, each organ was examined macroscopically for presence of any cyst or visible parasite. The gastrointestinal tract was removed and their contents were evaluated for larva or adult worms. Trichinella larvae in the rodents’ muscles were investigated by both digestion and pathological methods. Results: Twenty-eight (53.8%) of the trapped rodents were male. The rodents were including 25 (48.1%) Meriones persicus, 1(1.9%) Calomyscus bailwardi, 1 (1.9%) Arvicola terresterris, 7 (13.5%) Rattus rattus, 8 (15.4%) R. norvegicus, and 10 (19.2%) Apodemus sylvaticus. Of them, 38 (73.0%) were infected with at least one helminth. Collected rodents were infected with Hymenolepis diminuta (50%), Hymenolepis nana fraterna (28.8%), Skrjabinotaenia sp. (15.4%), Anoplocephalidae sp. (15.4%), Cysticercus fasciolaris (5.8%), Trichuris muris (36.5%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (15.4%), Syphacia sp. (5.7%), Rictularia sp. (15.4%), Trichostrongylus sp. (3.8%), and Gongylonema sp. (3.8%). M. persicus was the most (84%) infected rodent, yet the differences between rodent genus and helminth infectivity were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The rodents in Boyer-Ahmad district are infected with different helminths infections that some of them are recognized as threat to human health.

Background: Wild boars, Sus scrofa, of wide distribution considered as a potential source of zoonotic parasites. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of helminth infections in wild boars in the Persian Gulf coastal area (Bushehr Province), Southwestern Iran. Methods: Twenty-five wild boars, including 11 males and 14 females, were collected during a course of vertebrate pest control in the Bushehr Province, southwestern Iran in 2013. The specimen were immediately dissected and carefully searched for the parasites. During necropsy, each organ was examined macroscopically for presence of any helminthic agents. Tissue samples were taken from each organ. Moreover, samples were taken from the content of digestive system. Blood samples were also collected from each boar. All the samples were evaluated for helminth infections by parasitological methods. Results: Twenty-two (88%) of the wild boars were infected with at least one helminth. Out of 25 wild boars, 1 (4%) were infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis, the larval stage of Taenia hydatigena, 13 (52%) with Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, 17 (68%) with Metastrongylus spp, and 20 (80%) with Ascarops spp. Hydatid cyst was detected in the lung of one of the wild boars. No Trichinella spp. larvae were detected in any of the tissues of the animals when evaluated by artificial digestion method. In addition, no contamination with microfilaria was detected in any of animals when the blood samples were tested with Knott’s method. Conclusion: Wild boars are contaminated by some helminthes including zoonotic ones. These animals could be involved in the epidemiology of zoonotic helminth by acting as reservoir hosts. This in turn may bring potential risk for locals and residents of the Bushehr Province, Southwestern Iran.

The current study aimed to find out the morphometric and genotypic divergences of the flukes isolated from different hosts in a newly emerging focus of human fascioliasis in Iran. Adult Fasciola spp. were collected from 34 cattle, 13 sheep, and 11 goats from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, southwest of Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted from the flukes and PCR-RFLP was used to characterize the isolates. The ITS1, ITS2, and mitochondrial genes (mtDNA) of NDI and COI from individual liver flukes were amplified and the amplicons were sequenced. Genetic variation within and between the species was evaluated by comparing the sequences. Moreover, morphometric characteristics of flukes were measured through a computer image analysis system. Based on RFLP profile, from the total of 58 isolates, 41 isolates (from cattle, sheep, and goat) were identified as Fasciola hepatica, while 17 isolates from cattle were identified as Fasciola gigantica. Comparison of the ITS1 and ITS2 sequences showed six and seven single-base substitutions, resulting in segregation of the specimens into two different genotypes. The sequences of COI markers showed seven DNA polymorphic sites for F. hepatica and 35 DNA polymorphic sites for F. gigantica. Morphological diversity of the two species was observed in linear, ratios, and areas measurements. The findings have implications for studying the population genetics, epidemiology, and control of the disease.