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Introduction: Dogs harbour zoonotic parasites that cause serious infections in humans, such as visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, cystic echinococcosis, and alveolar echinococcosis. Studies on dogs’ gastrointestinal parasites in different geographical locations are required to increase knowledge of the risk of canine zoonoses in human populations.

Background and Objectives: The pentose phosphate pathway is of particular importance for energy supply in red blood cells. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase is the key enzyme involved in this pathway. The deficiency of this enzyme due to lack of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) production in red blood cells leads to oxidation, hemoglobin deposition, red blood cell membrane changes and favism, which causes jaundice and hemolytic anemia in newborns. In this study, we evaluate the frequency of G6PD deficiency in newborns in a hospital in Bam, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 572 newborns hospitalized at Pasteur hospital of Bam (Iran) in the first half of 2018. Demographic data including gender and blood type were collected. The G6PD enzyme activity was evaluated using qualitative G6PD assay kit (Saba Teb, Iran). Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of the 572 cases examined, 52 (9.09%) had G6PD deficiency. Of the affected patients, 34 (65.4%) were male and 18 (34.6%) were female. In addition, the majority (47.7%) of affected patients were with O+ blood group. Conclusion: A relatively high frequency of G6PD deficient infants was reported in Bam. As expected, the prevalence of this disorder was higher in males than in females. Given the lost cost of screening, we suggest screening for G6PD enzyme activity in all newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite affecting a broad range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Infection acquired during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus and leading to serious problems such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or severe mental and/or physical handicaps in the child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and related risk factors in pregnant woman. Methodology: The study enrolled 1200 serum samples of pregnant women from February-November 2017. Then the samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (Ab) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Out of the 1200 samples, 381 (31.7%) and 41 (3.4%) subjects were positive for IgG and IgM Ab, respectively. Among the evaluated risk factors, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was not related to the occupation in a significant way. However significant relationship was observed with factors such as; contact with soil, cats, consumption of raw washed vegetables, and washed hands before meals. Conclusions: According to the results, more than two-thirds of pregnant women are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection, hence training health care programs should be provided to prevent infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Echinococcus and Taenia spp. are important but neglected zoonotic helminths of dogs. Dogs as the most relevant definitive hosts harbor several species of Taenia and Echinococcus simultaneously in their gastrointestinal lumen which are morphologically indistinguishable. In this study, we used a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to identify Taeniid infections which seem to be highly distributed in the study region. Materials and Methods: A total of 450 dog fecal samples were collected from eight different areas of Zanjan province, northwest of Iran, and examined using a flotation method followed by multiplex PCR for detection and identification of parasites' eggs. Results: Gastrointestinal parasites were found in 86 out of 450 fecal samples (19.1%) by microscopic examination. Taeniid eggs were observed in 5.6% of samples, containing 0.45%, 3.8%, and 1.3% Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia spp., and mix infection of both E. granulosus and Taenia spp., respectively. Echinococcus multilocularis was absent in the samples. Conclusion: A relatively low rate of E. granulosus (1.8%) was observed in this study. However, risks of this parasite should not be overlooked, and control programs need to be extended for this species and other Taeniid spp. In particular, dogs are recommended to be dewormed more frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common enteric protozoan parasites in vertebrates, such as humans, domestic and wild animals, causing giardiasis. To the best of our knowledge, little is known about the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages. This study aimed to identify genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in Iranian stray dogs., Materials and Methods: A total of 450 fecal samples were collected from 2015 to 2016 from stray dogs of Northwest Iran. All specimens were observed microscopically following concentration and flotation techniques. Subsequently, DNA samples were extracted, amplified, and sequenced targeting the glutamate dehydrogenase gene., Results: The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in infected dogs was estimated at 1.6%, based on microscopic and molecular diagnoses. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses indicated a high level of genetic diversity of assemblage C (haplotype diversity; 0.802)., Conclusion: The pairwise sequence distances between the identified isolates of assemblage C showed an intradiversity of 0.3%-1.3% and identity of 98.7%-100%. Current findings indicate that a significant genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblage C haplotypes is unequivocally circulates among stray dogs in Northwest Iran., (Copyright: © Fazaeli, et al.)

Background: Hydatidosis is the most important zoonotic disease that causes significant economic losses and public health problems worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate retrospectively 136 patients diagnosed with hydatid cyst disease at two university medical centers between 2007 and 2013 in in Zanjan area, northwest Iran., Methods: We surveyed medical records of infected patients with hydatid cyst who had been operated in two hospitals in Zanjan City, northwest, Iran. Several parameters were studied including age, sex, place of habitation, and the location of cysts., Results: Of 136 cases, 54.4% were female with the mean age of 45 yr (4-86). The most affected age group was 21-40 yr old (36.02% of the cases). Cysts were localized in liver and lung in 64% and 23.5% of cases, respectively. Single organ involvement was seen in the majority of patients and 13 (9.5%) cases had multiple involvement. In 69.9% of cases, there was only one cyst, 8.1% had two cysts, 17.6% with three cysts, and 4.4% had four cysts or more. The distribution of residence of patients showed that 33 (24.3%) of them were urban residents., Conclusion: The prevalence of hydatidosis is high in this city and further studies are required to determine the prevalence, economic impact and risk factors of the disease in the area.