Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

EFSA J 2019 Aug 1;17(8):e05777. Epub 2019 Aug 1.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on viable embryonated eggs of the whipworm as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The applicant proposes to use the NF as a food supplement in the format of a 15-mL bottle containing 250 viable embryonated eggs of . . Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Jul 2;14(7):e0008296. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

World Health Organization (WHO) has defined moderate-to-heavy intensity (M&HI) infections with soil-transmitted helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the two hookworms, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus) based on specific values of eggs per gram of stool, as measured by the Kato-Katz method. There are a variety of novel microscopy and DNA-based methods but it remains unclear whether applying current WHO thresholds on to these methods allows for a reliable classification of M&HI infections. We evaluated both WHO and method-specific thresholds for classifying the M&HI infections for novel microscopic (FECPAKG2, McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC) and DNA-based (qPCR) diagnostic methods. Read More

J Infect Dev Ctries 2020 Jun 29;14(6.1):66S-71S. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) remains a major public health problem in school children in Ethiopia. Although direct wet mount microscopy (DWMM) is the means to diagnose parasitic diseases in health care facilities in Ethiopia, it remains unclear what its diagnostic performance is for STH.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed in Jimma Town (Ethiopia) and included 600 children from 10 primary schools. Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie-Médecine Tropicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, BP 4009, Libreville, Gabon.

Background: This cross-sectional study was carried out in different settlements of Gabon to determine the influence of single or multiple parasite carriage on haemoglobin (Hb) levels.

Methods: Between April 2015 and June 2016, healthy volunteers from urban, peri-urban and rural areas were screened for malaria, blood filariasis and intestinal parasitic infections using microscopic methods. Hb concentration was measured with a Hemocue analyser. Read More

Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2020 26;29(2):e022019. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., Mexico.

Trichuris guanacastei n sp., a parasite isolated from the Salvin' spiny mouse Heteromys salvini, collected from the Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica, during February 1996 is described. The new species was compared morphologically with the 29 known species that parasitize rodents distributed in 12 families in North and South America; T. Read More

Pediatric Health Med Ther 2020 8;11:161-169. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.

Background: Intestinal parasites (IP) are a major public health problem in several developing countries. It accounts for 1.5 billion infections with one or more intestinal parasitic agents. Read More

Molecules 2020 Jun 27;25(13). Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.

Soil-transmitted nematodes (STN) infect 1-2 billion of the poorest people worldwide. Only benzimidazoles are currently used in mass drug administration, with many instances of reduced activity. Terpenes are a class of compounds with anthelmintic activity. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Laboratorio di Parassitologia - Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

Public spaces are common sites of fecal contamination which is concerning considering the prevalence rates of gastrointestinal pathogens carried by pets. Multiple pet-bound parasite species capable of infecting humans have previously been reported in fecal samples collected from urban areas around the globe, including Italy In addition, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites has recently been shown in pets from the island of Sardinia, a well-known touristic destination. For these reasons, this study aims to evaluate the level of fecal contamination of two of the most important cities on Sardinia. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2020 ;66(2):231-236

Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, ul. Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland.

Pets, strays, and wild animals that excrete dispersal forms of parasites into the soil may be a threat in urban areas. The aim of the study was to determine the level of contamination with geohelminth eggs in community playgrounds (fenced and unfenced), playgrounds in city parks, and a transect found along the banks of the River Oder. In 74 out of 424 examined soil samples, the presence of geohelminths was confirmed (Toxocara spp. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

We reported 865 cases of soil-transmitted nematodiasis occurring in Japan during 2000-2017. The predominant nematode was ( = 279, 32.3% of all cases), and other species included (30. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Jun 23;14(6):e0008322. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Montpellier, France.

Background: The World Health Organization now recommends semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole with integrated vector management as an option for eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF) in areas of loiasis-endemic countries where it may not be safe to use diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin in MDA programs. However, the published evidence base to support this policy is thin, and uptake by national programs has been slow.

Methodology/principal Findings: We conducted a community trial to assess the impact of semiannual MDA on lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections (STH) in two villages in the Bandundu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with moderately high prevalences for LF and hookworm infections. Read More

Oman Med J 2020 May 8;35(3):e128. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.

Objectives: Consuming raw vegetables presents a considerable risk to the public and is the chief mode of transmission of intestinal parasites. We sought to assess the degree of parasitic contaminations on selected vegetables in the UAE.

Methods: A total of 218 fresh vegetable samples were collected randomly from different farms and local supermarkets between February 2017 and January 2018. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Jun 16;14(6):e0008231. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Background: Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are increasingly being used as diagnostic tools for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and A. ceylanicum), Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma in human stool. Currently, there is a large diversity of NAATs being applied, but an external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) for these diagnostics is lacking. Read More

Helminthologia 2020 Jun 23;57(2):171-178. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

The present work was designed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and some vector-borne pathogens in dogs in Bulgaria. A total of 172 owned dogs, keeping outside, were included in the study. Fecal samples were examined using standard flotation and sedimentation methods. Read More

Helminthologia 2020 Jun 23;57(2):109-119. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department for Parasitology, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Beograd, Serbia.

Regarding geographical distribution and clinical relevance, the most common canine geohelminths are , ancylostomatids, and . Canine intestinal parasites from the soil and sand present an important potential serious human health hazard, especially for the children preschool and school - age. This paper aimed to establish the degree of contamination of soil and sand with zoonotic parasites from the canine feces and the degree of risk they could pose for human health in public places and playgrounds in the city of Niš. Read More

Acta Trop 2020 Jun 4;209:105575. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Postgraduate Programme in Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Center for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Electronic address:

Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic worm that is of considerable clinical relevance. Indeed, it may persist asymptomatically for many years, but can lead to potentially fatal dissemination when the host's immune status is impaired. As commonly employed stool microscopy techniques (e. Read More

Microbiome 2020 Jun 4;8(1):83. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA.

Background: The anti-inflammatory property of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been exploited in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with promising results. However, it remains unclear if PUFA play a significant role in the resolution of inflammation and promotion of mucosal healing. Krill oil (KO) is a natural product rich in PUFA and the potent antioxidant, astaxanthin. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Jun 4;14(6):e0008315. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

National Center for Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Soil transmitted helminths are highly prevalent worldwide. Globally, approximately 1.5 billion people are infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura or hookworm. Read More

IDCases 2020 18;21:e00821. Epub 2020 May 18.

Universidad Francisco Marroquin School of Medicine, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Iran J Parasitol 2020 Jan-Mar;15(1):91-100

Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the most important etiologies of gastrointestinal disorders in developing countries. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of IPIs in rural inhabitants of Fouman, northern Iran.

Methods: Overall, 31 villages were randomly selected during 2015-2016. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2020 Jun 1;13(1):275. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.

Background: The rapid growth in off-leash dog parks provides opportunity for canine socialization activities but carries risk of exposure to intestinal parasites. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections in dogs visiting off-leash dog parks.

Methods: Fresh defecations were collected from dogs visiting parks in 30 metropolitan areas across the USA. Read More

Infect Disord Drug Targets 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran. Iran.

Background: Soil-transmitted parasites (STPs) are significant intestinal parasites that infect humans and animals and impose considerable burdens on human society and animal husbandry industries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic elements of soil samples collected from the north of Iran.

Methods: A total of 256 soil samples were collected from public parks, public places, vegetable gardens, sand heaps, and shadow areas near houses in the north of Iran and examined using the sucrose flotation method. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2020 May 18;282:109137. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States. Electronic address:

Our main study objective was to determine the prevalence and trend of parasitic infection in client-owned dogs examined at the veterinary parasitology diagnostic laboratory of Oklahoma State University over the past 12 years. All results of centrifugal flotation, saline direct smear, sedimentation, Baermann, acid-fast staining for Cryptosporidium detection, and Giardia antigen examinations on fecal samples from client-owned dogs submitted to the Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital and Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma State University from 2007 through 2018 were included. The impact of sex, age, and seasonality on the prevalence of parasitic infection was also statistically evaluated. Read More

Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020 May 28;6(1):44. Epub 2020 May 28.

Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK.

Trichuriasis and ascariasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by the gastrointestinal dwelling nematodes Trichuris trichiura (a whipworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides (a roundworm), respectively. Both parasites are staggeringly prevalent, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas, and are associated with substantial morbidity. Infection is initiated by ingestion of infective eggs, which hatch in the intestine. Read More

Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2020 Mar;32(2):168-173

National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of National Health Commission, Shanghai 200025, China.

Objective: To establish a rapid nucleic acid detection technique for identification of based on the recombinase aided isothermal amplification assay (RAA) and assess its diagnostic efficiency.

Methods: The mitochondrial gene sequence of (GenBank accession number: AB018440) was used as a target sequence. The primers were designed according to the RAA reaction principle and synthesized, and RAA was performed using the generated primers. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 May 26;14(5):e0007942. Epub 2020 May 26.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.

Efforts to identify new drugs for therapeutic and preventive treatments against parasitic nematodes have gained increasing interest with expanding pathogen omics databases and drug databases from which new anthelmintic compounds might be identified. Here, a novel approach focused on integrating a pan-Nematoda multi-omics data targeted to a specific nematode organ system (the intestinal tract) with evidence-based filtering and chemogenomic screening was undertaken. Based on de novo computational target prioritization of the 3,564 conserved intestine genes in A. Read More

Genome Biol 2020 May 25;21(1):122. Epub 2020 May 25.

Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Background: African populations provide a unique opportunity to interrogate host-microbe co-evolution and its impact on adaptive phenotypes due to their genomic, phenotypic, and cultural diversity. We integrate gut microbiome 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequence data with quantification of pathogen burden and measures of immune parameters for 575 ethnically diverse Africans from Cameroon. Subjects followed pastoralist, agropastoralist, and hunter-gatherer lifestyles and were compared to an urban US population from Philadelphia. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhad Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection highly prevalent in Central Africa where it is co-endemic with many other parasitic infections, including soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). For its optimal control, there is a need of descriptive epidemiological data for each endemic region. The objective of the present study was to determine the epidemiological situation around schistosomiasis in Lambaréné, Gabon. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2020 Apr 30;58(2):195-200. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea.

Soil-transmitted helminths, including Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, are important intestinal parasites mostly affecting younger people in developing countries. In 2014-2015, we performed mass fecal examinations targeting a total of 2,227 schoolchildren in 3 districts (South Dagon, North Dagon, and Hlaing-thar-yar) of Yangon Region, Myanmar, using the Kato-Katz thick smear technique. The egg positive children were subjected to a mass drug administration (MDA) using a single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2020 Apr 30;58(2):109-119. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.

Soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium affect more than 3 billion people globally and mainly occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study assessed the overall infection status of a 1716-student cohort of school-children in Zanzibar and applied mass drug administration (MDA) to the cohort from 2007 to 2009. Schools in Pemba, Zanzibar, had a much higher prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections than those in Unguja, and the Chaani, Ghana, and Machui schools of Unguja exhibited high S. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2020 May 15;20(1):350. Epub 2020 May 15.

Unité d'Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistance Parasitaire (UNEEREP), Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769, Franceville, Gabon.

Background: Pediatric diarrhea caused by a range of pathogens, including intestinal parasites, is one of main causes of death among children under 5 years of age. The distribution of these parasitic infections overlaps in many environmental, socioeconomic and epidemiological settings. Their distribution and prevalence varies from region to region. Read More

J Parasitol Res 2020 29;2020:2521750. Epub 2020 Jan 29.

Debre Tabor University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Background: In Ethiopia, 25.3 and 12.3 million school-age children are living in soil-transmitted helminth and schistosomiasis endemic areas, respectively. Read More

EClinicalMedicine 2020 May 5;22:100335. Epub 2020 May 5.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: The efficacy of the widely used albendazole against the soil-transmitted helminth is limited; yet optimal doses, which may provide increased efficacy, have not been thoroughly investigated to date.

Methods: A randomized-controlled trial was conducted in Côte d'Ivoire with preschool-aged children (PSAC), school-aged children (SAC), and adults infected with . Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) using computer-generated randomization. Read More

BMC Public Health 2020 May 12;20(1):672. Epub 2020 May 12.

Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis & STH Control Program, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Road # 29, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background: In 2016, after 8 years of twice-annual nationwide preventive chemotherapy (PC) administration to school-age children (SAC), the Bangladesh Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) sought improved impact and intervention monitoring data to assess progress toward the newly adopted goal of eliminating soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) as a public health problem.

Methods: We surveyed four Bangladeshi districts between August and October 2017. We conducted a multi-stage, cluster-sample, household survey which produced equal-probability samples for preschool-age children (PSAC; 1-4 years), SAC (5-14 years), and adults (≥ 15 years). Read More

Acta Trop 2020 Jul 3;207:105516. Epub 2020 May 3.

Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Introduction: A test comparison of in-house and commercial real-time PCR (qPCR) kits for the detection of human parasites and microsporidia in stool samples was conducted without a gold standard. Three different commercial kits were included in the comparison, with a range of 3-15 different PCR targets, while 14 targets were covered by in-house testing, so not all 16 target pathogens were covered by all assays.

Methods: Residual materials from nucleic acid extractions of stool samples with very high likelihood of being colonized or infected by at least one enteric parasite species or microsporidia were tested. Read More

J Trop Med 2020 14;2020:4124808. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Embakasi Medical Health Centre and Mukuru Health Centre, P.O. Box 30108-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: The burden of nematode infections is high mostly in children below 5 years old, with clinical manifestations ranging from mild to painful symptoms due to severe infections that end up suppressing the immune system of the infected children. The occurrence of these infections is highest in areas of extreme poverty. This study evaluated the intensity of nematode infections and assessed the status of deworming in children aged 3 to 5 years living in Mukuru slum settlement, Nairobi County, Kenya. Read More

Biomolecules 2020 Apr 27;10(5). Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.

Studies on the parasite-host interaction may provide valuable information concerning the modulation of molecular mechanisms as well as of the host immune system during infection. To date, it has been demonstrated that intestinal parasites may affect, among others, the processes of digestion in the gastrointestinal system of the host, thus limiting the elimination of the parasite, the immune response as well as inflammation. However, the most recent studies suggest that intestinal parasites may also affect modulation of the apoptosis pathway of the host. Read More

Dalton Trans 2020 May;49(20):6616-6626

Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France.

Helminthiases, a group of neglected tropical diseases, affect more than one billion people mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Moreover, major intestinal protozoa have a significant impact on global public health. Albendazole (ABZ) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Read More

Parasitol Int 2020 Aug 21;77:102128. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute (WRBRI), Biodiversity and Conservation Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand.

The whipworm Trichuris muris is known to be associated with various rodent species in the northern hemisphere, but the species identity of whipworm infecting rodents in the Oriental region remains largely unknown. We collected Trichuris of Muridae rodents in mainland and insular Southeast Asia between 2008 and 2015 and used molecular and morphological approaches to identify the systematic position of new specimens. We discovered two new species that were clearly distinct from T. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 04 24;14(4):e0008087. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America.

There is growing interest in local elimination of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in endemic settings. In such settings, highly sensitive diagnostics are needed to detect STH infection. We compared double-slide Kato-Katz, the most commonly used copromicroscopic detection method, to multi-parallel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 2,799 stool samples from children aged 2-12 years in a setting in rural Bangladesh with predominantly low STH infection intensity. Read More

J Nematol 2020 ;52:1-6

Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331.

Because species of are morphologically similar and ranges of host preference are variable, using molecular data to evaluate species delineations is essential for properly quantifying biodiversity of and relationships within Trichuridae. has been reported from spp. (Rodentia: Geomyidae, 'pocket gophers') hosts based on morphological features alone. Read More

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020 May 4;9:e00146. Epub 2020 Apr 4.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

Goats greatly influence the economic sustainability of rural communities. However, parasitic diseases, especially gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a major constraint on profitable small ruminants' production worldwide. During July- 2015 to June- 2016, we conducted a cross sectional study within seven topographic zones of Bangladesh to explore the level of infection and associated risk factors of GINs infections of goats. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2020 Apr 19;13(1):200. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

New England Biolabs, Inc, Ipswich, MA, USA.

Background: Approximately 30% of children worldwide are infected with gastrointestinal parasites. Depending on the species, parasites can disrupt intestinal bacterial microbiota affecting essential vitamin biosynthesis.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from 37 asymptomatic children from a previous cross-sectional Argentinian study. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2020 May 9;281:109103. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Despite morphological differences of eggs and adults, Capillaria boehmi infections have been occasionally misdiagnosed as C. aerophila infections in the past. Capillaria boehmi is found in the nasal and paranasal sinuses of wild canids and dogs, which may suffer from nasal discharge, sneezing, epistaxis and, importantly, their scent can be impaired. Read More

Front Public Health 2020 24;8:86. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

School of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.

Ambulatory blood pressure is a potential tool for early detection of complications during pregnancy, but its utility in impoverished settings has not been assessed. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies and inflammation (MINDI) were associated with four measures of maternal blood pressure (BP) and to determine their association with symphysis-fundal-height (SFH). Environmental and dietary factors, intake of iron and a multiple-nutrient supplement (MNS), markers of inflammation, protein, anemia, folate, vitamins B, A and D status, and urogenital, skin, oral and intestinal nematode infections were measured in indigenous pregnant Panamanian women. Read More

J Immunol 2020 Jun 13;204(11):3042-3055. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark;

Fermentable dietary fibers promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, can enhance mucosal barrier integrity, and reduce chronic inflammation. However, effects on intestinal type 2 immune function remain unclear. In this study, we used the murine whipworm to investigate the effect of the fermentable fiber inulin on host responses to infection regimes that promote distinct Th1 and Th2 responses in C57BL/6 mice. Read More

J Vet Res 2020 Mar 24;64(1):103-110. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: Common parasites of the European bison include gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematodes, liver flukes (), tapeworms, and protozoa of the genus . This study compared the extensiveness and intensities of European bison parasitic invasions in three north-eastern Polish forests in different seasons and queried the role of parasitological monitoring in sanitary and hygienic control of feeding places.

Material And Methods: Faecal samples were collected in the Białowieża, Knyszyńska, and Borecka Forests between 2014 and 2016, as were some from an area neighbouring the Białowieża Forest outside the Natura 2000 protected area. Read More

Pathog Glob Health 2020 05 5;114(3):145-159. Epub 2020 Apr 5.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,142 Orang Ali schoolchildren in six states of Peninsular Malaysia to investigate the current prevalence and risk factors of STH infections. Faecal samples were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, Kato-Katz, and Harada-Mori methods. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on the demographic, socioeconomic, personal hygiene, and health status of the participants. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Apr 3;10(1):5846. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.

The parasitic nematode Trichuris trichiura is a significant burden on public health in developing countries, and currently available drugs exhibit a poor cure rate. Worms live within a specialised tunnel of host intestinal epithelial cells and have anterior-ventral projections of the cuticle termed "cuticular inflations", which are thought to be involved in host-parasite interactions. This work aimed to characterise structure and suggest a function of cuticular inflations in the most tractable and widely-used model of trichuriasis, Trichuris muris. Read More