فهرست مطالب hossein hooshyar

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important food-borne parasitic pathogens that infect humans and a wide range of warm-blooded animals. Consumption of poultry meat, especially chicken, is a potential risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in industrial broilers referred to the Kashan poultry abattoir, Iran, in 2023.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 114 brain and heart samples of industrial broilers were randomly collected from Kashan poultry abattoir. Two prepared direct smears from each sample were stained with Giemsa stain and examined microscopically for the presence of tissue cysts of T. gondii. The genomic DNA was extracted using a commercial kit. PCR method was used for detection of the B1 genome of T. gondii using specific primers. The PCR product was evaluated by electrophoresis on a 1.5% agarose gel. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS software.

Of 114 chicken samples, 65 (57%) and 49 (43%), were male and female respectively. Totally, 12 samples (10.5%) were positive for T. gondii infection. T. gondii DNA fragments were detected in 8 (7.06%) of the samples. Microscopy examination revealed T.gondii in 6 (5.26%) samples. All infections were related to brain samples, and no infection was detected in heart muscle samples.

Infection with T. gondii is considerable in broilers in the Kashan region. Therefore, preventive measures such as training people to properly cook meat before consumption and avoiding eating raw or under‑cooked poultry meat products are recommended to prevent human infection to T. gondii. In order to stop life cycle of this parasite, avoiding using raw bird meat for feeding pets such as cats is recommended.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) frequently occurs in many rural and urban areas of Iran. Leishmania major and L. tropica are principally two causative agents of CL in Iran. We report here a case of leishmaniasis of the ear in a 61-year-old man referred to the Reference laboratory, Kashan, central Iran, in Jan 2022. He suffered from a 2-month history of a 1×3 cm lesion on the left ear. In the microscopy examination, amastigotes forms of Leishmania spp. were observed. L. tropica was confirmed using a single PCR with species-specific primers. The patient was introduced to a physician to begin the treatment protocol. It is recommended that physicians, especially in an endemic area, investigate any atypical lesion for CL.

Trichostrongyloiasis is a prevalent infection in humans and some animals worldwide. Morphology is a reliable tool for identifying Trichostrongylus species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Trichostrongylus infection in livestock and compare the morphometric characteristics of the species in sheep and goats referred to Kashan Abattoir, Iran, in 2018.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 130 goats and 154 sheep. The small intestine was collected from the slaughterhouse; the samples were opened and examined, and the genus and species of worms were identified based on morphological features reflected in diagnostic keys. Five morphometric indices, including body length and width, copulatory bursa width, shape length of the spicule, and gubernaculum length, were measured in 70 worm isolates. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA test in SPSS 18 software.

Of 284 livestock (130 goats and 154 sheep) examined, 26 (9/15%) were infected with Trichostrongylus. The prevalence of infection in goats and sheep was 12.3% and 6.5%, respectively. The most frequent species were Trichostrongylus colubriformis (48.7%), followed by Trichostrongylus vitrinus (25.7%). Trichostrongylus capricula and Trichostrongylus probolurus had an incidence of 12.8%. T. probolurus showed a higher length of spicule and gubernaculum, while T. vitrinus showed a wider copulatory bursa compared to the other species (P <0.001).

The prevalence of Trichostrongylus infection in this region was remarkable. Morphometric and morphological methods are practical tools in differentiating male Trichostrongylus species. However, in addition to morphometric studies, molecular methods are required to identify female worms, larvae, and eggs accurately.

Accurate diagnosis of Entamoeba histolyticais important, as it is known as a causative agent for both invasive intestinal and extra-intestinal amoebiasis. Amoebiasis has a worldwide distribution, especially in developing countries, and it is responsible forup to 100,000 fatal cases annually. A number of diagnostic methods, including microscopy, culture, antigen detection, molecular based methods, and serological assays have been proposed to assist in diagnosing amoebiasis. The present study aimed to gather new data and review the available diagnostic tests of both intestinal and extra-intestinal amoebiasis and to highlight pitfalls and challenges of each of them. A broad literature of electronic databases was conducted and covered articles published up to March 2022. For laboratory diagnosis of intestinal amoebiasis, direct microscopy stool examinations and cultures should be held as the high-performance diagnostic strategies. Molecular and immunological-based assays are also recommended as complementary tests. To diagnose extra-intestinal infection, the use of serological tests is still considered the method of choice. However, serodiagnosis requires further improvement for the accurate differential diagnosis of active infection from past infections

Dicrocoeliasis and fascioliasis are foodborne parasitic diseases of the biliary tract, resulting from Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Fasciola hepatica causing extensive financial losses and serious health problems in ruminants. Due to low-performance medications, drug delivery is a tremendous project to improve interventions available for these diseases.

This study aimed to determine the anthelmintic properties of Ferula assa-foetida extract against F. hepatica and D. dendriticum using in vitro assay.

The effects of diverse concentrations of F. assa-foetida extract (400 - 1000 µg/mL) for 12-24 hours were examined for the treatment of D. dendriticum and F. hepatica. The anthelmintic efficacies were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MTT assay was carried out to evaluate the cell viability of all cells in culture media.

The SEM images of treated worms by F. assa-foetida extract (200 µg/mL) confirmed excessive damage, which included an entire lack of sensory papillae and destruction of distinguished network structures and tegument vesicles. Variables of duration and concentration presented a considerable effect on both the mortality rate and the anthelmintic properties of F. assa-foetida; accordingly, as the time and concentration increased, the mortality rate became higher. Based on the MTT assay, the toxicity of F. assa-foetida at 800 µg/mL concentration was 8.7%. Therefore, it can be argued that F. assa-foetida had anthelmintic properties.

This is the first study that evaluated the impact of F. assa-foetida on liver flukes of D. dendriticum and F. hepatica. Therefore, it paved the way for further studies on the control of those trematodes. It is recommended to document and look into the indigenous understanding of viable medicinal plants to provide evidence for their use.

Malaria is an imported disease in non-endemic regions of Iran. Imported malaria cases to Iran mostly come from illegal immigrants from neighboring eastern countries. The present study describes a case of imported malaria in a 14-month-old Afghan boy with prolonged fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. He was referred and hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti, Kashan, central Iran, in December 2021. He and his parents traveled and immigrated to Kashan, Iran, three weeks before hospitalization. After staining with Giemsa stain, a thin blood smear test showed Plasmodium vivax with the Schüffner's dots in red blood cells. The patient was treated with an antimalarial drug and discharged from the hospital with normal vital signs. Before arriving in Iran, all immigrants should receive a screening test or be checked for malaria symptoms.

Despite the various studies done in the field of cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment, there is still no perfect and safe drug for definite treatment of this disease. Therefore, the quest to find an appropriate drug continues. Previous studies have shown that auranofin has anti‑leishmanial activity; therefore, in this study; the effect of auranofin on Leishmania major was studied.

Effectiveness of four concentrations (1, 2, 4, and 8μg/ml) of auranofin on L. major was studied. After culturing amastigotes and promastigotes of the parasite, IC50 was calculated. The ability of auranofin to induce apoptosis in promastigotes was evaluated, and the degree of fragmentation of promastigotes DNA after treatment with auranofin was studied. Subsequently, the ultrastructural changes induced by treatment with auranofin in promastigotes were studied. Using the obtained results, IC50 of auranofin against amastigotes and promastigotes was calculated as 1.007 and 2.38 μg/ml, respectively.

Showed that auranofin induce apoptosis in L. major. The highest rate of apoptosis (%80.1) occurred at the concentration of 8 μg/ml and also auranofin‑induced fragmentation of DNA. Considerable changes occurred in the shape of body and free flagellum of the L. major promastigotes after treatment with auranofin.

Based on the results, it can be concluded that auranofin has a considerable anti‑leishmanial activity and additional studies in this field will be based on the results

Cattle is one of the main sources of food supply chain for humans in most countries. The present study aimed to identify the infection rates for Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in native slaughtered cattle in Kashan, central Iran.

Totally, 159 diaphragm, esophagus, and muscle samples(53 samples of each) were collected from native beef cattle from Kashan slaughterhouse, central Iran. The genomic DNA was extracted, and PCR method was used separately for detection of N. caninum, Sarcocystis, and T. gondii species using specific primers.

Sarcocystis was found in 84.9% of muscles, 83% of esophagus, and 84.9% of diaphragm samples. Mixed infection (Sarcocystis cruzi–Sarcocystis hominis) was the most common infection, followed by S. cruzi and S. hominis. Sarcocystis hirsuta was not detected in any samples. T. gondii was detected only in three (5.7%) out of the 53 muscle tissues samples of cattle. N. caninum was found in 18.9% of muscles, 24.5% of esophagus, and 28.3% of diaphragm samples. One of the cattle had coinfection to Neospora, Toxoplasma, and Sarcocystis in muscles simultaneously. There was no statistically significant difference between infection rates and age as well as sex in each organ.

This study revealed a low prevalence rate of T. gondii, but a high prevalence of infection to N. caninum and S. cruzi or mixed infection of S. cruzi with S. hominis among slaughtered cattle. Prevention measures such as keeping away dogs from cattle grazing are recommended.

In vitro cultivation of digenea would help the development of effective treatments and studies of the biology of the parasites. The goal of the present study was to optimize culture conditions for the maintenance liver fluke, Dicrocoelium dendriticum.

Forty fresh D. dendriticum were collected from the sheep liver and washed three times with warm Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 Medium. The collected worms were transferred to 24‑well Nunc‑Immuno plates containing RPMI media supplemented with 50% of fetal bovine serum (FBS), 2% of sheep red blood cells (RBCs), 50 IU/ml of penicillin, and 50 mg/ml streptomycin. The mobility of the live/dead worms was observed by inverted microscope. The mean and median survival time was calculated by Kaplan–Meier model, and survival and hazard function graphs were also analyzed.

D. dendriticum was lived in vitro only for long periods of about 25 dyes. The 1st day of maintaining in culture media, one worm was dead and the number of dead worms was raised to 40 after 25 days of incubation. On the one hand, the mean survival time was 392 h with a confidence interval (CI) of 95% (384.8–400.03). On the other hand, the median survival time was 420 h with a CI of 95% (406.9–433.09). D. dendriticum was able to be alive in RPMI 1640 media for at least 25 days.

RPMI 1640 supplemented with FBS, and RBCs can be used as short‑term maintenance for the in vitro culture of D. dendriticum. The outcomes of the current study could be useful for many aspects of parasitological analysis.

Free –living Amoeba (FLA) are microorganisms that are abundant in the nature. Some genus of these protozoa are opportunistic and cause granulomatous encephalitis and lung infections in immunocompromised people such as cancer patients. Due to the little information about the status of infection of these parasites in the above patients, the present study was performed to determine the prevalence of FLA in cancer patients in Kashan hospitals.

This cross-sectional study was performed on hundred oral cavity mucosal samples of cancer patients referred to Shahid Beheshti and Yathribi hospitals in Kashan during 2019 to 2020. The samples were cultured onto 1.5% Non-nutrient agar enriched with killed Escherichia coli and examined for the presence of FLA. The rate of contamination with free living amoebae and its relationship with demographic information of patients were analyzed by SPss. 16

Overall, the prevalence of free-living amoeba in oral cavity of cancer patients was 89%. Also, 92.6% of breast cancer and 90.9% of bowel cancer patients were positive for FLA, respectively. The highest rate of FLA contamination was observed in women over the age of 66 years. In addition, the highest rate was observed in 90.9% of illiterate people and the lowest in 76.9% of academics, but the difference was not significant.

The rate of free-living amoeba in oral cavity of cancer patients in Kashan were more than the study results of Iran and world. Therefore, health education about transmission and sanitation is recommended for prevention of infection.

Hydatidosis is an important zoonotic disease that is caused by a tiny tapeworm, namely Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, three polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‑based methods, including, high resolution melting (HRM) analysis, DNA sequencing, and PCR‑restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) have been used for genotype the identification of E. granulosus isolates from dogs and camels in Zarinshahr and Najafabad, Isfahan province, Iran.

A total of 200 adult worms of 40 dogs and 51 samples of camel hydatid cysts were examined. Molecular characterization of isolates was performed using HRM assay,sequencing of DNA, and digestion Rsa1 pattern coding for the mitochondrial cox1 gene. For analysis of the HRM melting curve, we used the Tm within the range of 77.50°C–79.23°C.

HRM analysis revealed that 72.5%, 15%, and 12.5% dog’s genotypes and 41.17%, 21.56%, and 35.29% camel genotypes were G1, G3, and G6, respectively. PCR‑RFLP analysis, spare parts 310 bp and 138 bp of cox1 that shows the G1 genotype in all of the isolates. Sequence analysis as well as HRM assay was confirmed genotypes of G1, G3, and G6 in camels and dogs. Based on three methods of the cox1 gene the dominant genotype was G1.

The PCR‑RFLP only identified the G1 genotype, whereas the HRM analysis, as well as DNA sequencing, were detected three genotypes G1, G3, G6, therefore, these two methods have enough accuracy for the determination of genotypes of E. granulosus. This information leads to a better understanding of the biological characteristics of E. granulosus genotypes in Iran and shows the camel as a source of human hydatidosis.

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal emergent surgical disease worldwide. Enterobius vermicularis, a human intestinal parasite, is reported to be associated with acute appendicitis. We report a case of an 8-year-old girl who was admitted to the emergency unit with complaints of severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Microscopic pathological examination showed lymphoid follicles with prominent germinal centers and mantle zones within the appendix wall. Cross-sections of multiple female and male Enterobius vermicularis worms and a few longitudinal sections of E.vermicularis were seen. E. vermicularis is one of the most common human parasitic infections, so the possibility of infection of the appendix with E. vermicularis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of agents of appendicitis.

Sarcocystis is one of the most prevalent protozoan parasite that infected humans and many animals worldwide. Cattle as one of the sources of meat products for the human is exposed to contamination with these parasites.The aim of this study was the determination of prevalence of sarcocystis in slaughtered cattle in Kashan region, 2019. In this cross-sectional study, 162 meat samples from 54 slaughtered cattle ( three samples from muscle, esophagus, and diaphragm of each cattle) were collected. After recording of data, about 15-20 gram of each samples were digested in digestion solution overnight at 27 °C according to Douby method. Two smears prepared from sediment and stained by Giemsa stain, and microcopy observed for Sarcocystis cystizoite. Totally, 94.4% of samples were positive for sarcocystis spp. Microscopic cysts were positive in 90.7%, 87% and 81.5% of muscle, esophagus, and diaphragm samples, respectively. The results showed no significant difference between different muscles. Only one case of the macroscopic positive sample was seen that simultaneous was infected microscopic. The present study showed a high prevalence of infection to Sarcocystis in cattle slaughtered in Kashan similar to another region of Iran. So conduct of preventive measures for the reduction of animal infection and Properly cooked meat before consumption are recommended for the prevention of human infection.

 The control of fascioliasis has depended on the utilization of a predetermined number of anthelmintic drugs. Nonetheless, the resistance of antifasciolid is presently boundless, and there is a need for potential drug properties of medicinal plants as new medications against Fasciola spp. to interrupt the parasite transmission. 

 This investigation is meant to assess the potential anti-fasciolicide impacts of Zingiber officinale roscoe hydroalcoholic extract against the Fasciola miracidia. The eggs of Fasciola hepatica were gathered from the livers contaminated goats and sheep and washed 20 times with chlorine-free water, and afterward incubated at different pH, temperature, and light density for embryonic development. Concentrated miracidia of Fasciola spp. were incubated at different concentrations (2, 5, and 10 μg/mL) of hydroalcoholic extract of Z. officinale at different time intervals. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA statistical test. 

 The extract at different concentrations showed antifasciolid effects in comparison to triclabendazole. This braking action was dose-proportional and further related firmly to the disclosure time ( P < 0.001). In concentration of 10ug/ml extract killed the parasites at 105 ± 3 s ( P < 0.001). 

 In vitro antimiracidia activities of the hydro alcoholic extract of Z. officinale was satisfactory and potent fasciolicide effective, however, in vivo impact of this extract, remains for extra assessment. In this manner, these therapeutic plant extracts might be seen as confident origins of bioactive composites that could be matured against miracidia. This is the main work to evaluate the potential enemy of fasciolicide impact of certain plants against Fasciola miracidia.

 Blastocystis species are one of the most common enteric protist infections in humans and some animals worldwide. Molecular studies have shown that there is a high level of genetic variation among Blastocystis isolates. The aim of this study was to identify the subtypes and frequency of Blastocystis isolates in patients who referred to the medical diagnostic laboratories in Kashan, Central Iran. 

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1118 patients, from December 2017 to June 2018. Fecal specimens were evaluated by the microscopic examination. Positive samples were cultivated in Robinson media. After massive growth and DNA extraction, a 550 bp from the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for subtype identification. The PCR products have been sequenced, identified, and compared at the NCBI site. The results were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. 

 The frequency of Blastocystis sp. was 8.58%, (confidence interval = 6.94%–10.22%) from which 76% were men and 24% were women. Of the 51 PCR positive samples, ST3 (41.2%), ST1 (39.2%), ST2 (11.8%), and 7.8% isolates were identified as mixed. ST3 and ST1 have been more common. The highest levels of infection were observed in the food-handlers, the age group of 31–40, and people with high school education. 

 The results showed that the frequency of Blastocystis was lower than other studies and the most common Blastocystis subtype was subtype 3, followed by subtype 1, and subtype 2.

Staphylococcus aureus is considered a major cause of food poisoning in the world. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of S. aureus isolated from hamburgers in Kashan city.

In this study, 71 hamburger samples were collected from supermarkets in Kashan from March to July 2017. The samples were examined after dilution in the Baird–Parker Agar Base medium of inoculation for the bacterial growth of S. aureus. Gram staining, catalase tests, mannitol fermentation, coagulase, DNase, and sensitivity to novobiocin were used to detect the bacteria.

The collected hamburgers were about eight types of products. Of the total samples, 15 (21.13%) were Gram‑positive bacteria contaminated, including seven cocci and eight bacilli. Seven samples (9.86%) of hamburgers were contaminated with S. aureus. The average counts of S. aureus in positive samples were 1.94 × 103 colony‑forming unit (CFU)/g.

The outbreak of S. aureus isolates in meat products, particularly hamburger, is of serious threat to public health. To prevent the outbreak of this pathogen in hamburgers, permanent control and monitoring should be performed in food industries.

Dicrocoeliasis is one of the commonest parasitic diseases of the bile ducts and gallbladder in a wide range of mammals including ruminants and sometimes human being. The disease is really important in medicine, economy, and veterinary medicine. Annually, slaughter house loses a huge amount because of losing a great deal of valuable proteins in people daily diets. In order to bring the disease under control, morphological and molecular analysis of parasite in endemic districts is essential. The present study was conducted to determine the morphological as well as molecular characterization of cattle, sheep and goats isolated from Dicrocoelium by applying ND1 genetic marker in the Markazi province, Iran. In this cross-sectional study 480 fresh adult worms were collected from livers of 120 cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in abattoirs in Markazi province. To diagnose the species of parasite, morphometric indices of mature worms were calculated based on standard parameters. Then DNA of 60 isolates with different morphometric characteristics was extracted and PCR reaction was performed for a part of ND1 (mtDNA). PCR was purified and its sequence was defined, the percentage of genetic similarity was compared to cases registered by GenBank and the exact species of parasite was recognized. The morphometric analysis in all isolates was as follows: testicles were sequential, the length and the width of the worm for all cattle, sheep and goat isolates were 7994±967µm, 6844±100µm, 6570±110µm (P<0.0001) and 1649±339µm, 1490±221µm and 1430±252µm (P<0.0001) respectively. The proportion of the length to the width was 4.87±0.641, 4.58±0.625, and 4.64±0.622 respectively. All the results mentioned above confirmed Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the hosts of the district under investigation. The analysis of the gel electrophoresis in all isolates showed the existence of band 200pb.The percentage of genetic similarity to the registered items, cases were determined by the Gen bank between 97 and 99 percent. Molecular identification and morphometric assays clearly showed that D. dendriticum is the only agent of Dicrocoeliasis among cattle, sheep and goats in the Marakazi province, Iran. Molecular diagnosis of parasite by applying genetic marker of the nucleus is recommended.

Giardiasis has a global distribution and is a common cause of diarrhea in both children and adults and is transmitted via the fecal-oral route through direct or indirect ingestion of cysts.  The laboratory diagnosis of Giardia mainly based on demonstration of microscopic cyst or  trophozoite in stool samples but several immunological-based assays and molecular methods also are available for giardiasis diagnosis. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the methods applied in medical laboratory and highlights pitfalls and challenges of them for diagnosis of giardiasis. In this article we evaluated the giardia diagnostic methods with a broad review of literature, electronic databases and books. The search covered the articles and some textbook published up to 2018.   It concludes that traditional microscopy combination with stool concentration method should still be held in the routine medical laboratory due to economical and high sensitivity and immunological-based assay and molecular methods are recommended used as a complementary test to the traditional technique.  

The aim of this study is to clarify nitric oxide (NO)-production by spleen and the importance of spleen in malaria infection in murine model. Thirty outbred NMRI female mice were divided into four groups, Group I: No intervention (Healthy control), Group II: With splenectomy (Healthy test), Group III: No intervention, Inoculation of contaminated blood (Infected control), Group IV: With splenectomy, inoculation of contaminated blood (Infected test). The Parasitemia was counted every other day through Giemsa stain examination of animal blood. The parasitemia and survival rates, hepatosplenomegaly and body weight were recorded. After terminal anesthesia, plasma and liver/spleen suspensions were assessed by the Griess micro assay for measurement of NO-levels. At the end of the experiment (on day 16), the parasitemia was 26.99±0.46 % among the group of non-splenectomized animals (Group III) compared with 31.25±0.72% among the group of splenectomized animals (Group IV). The average parasitemia among the groups at the end of the experiment was statistically significant (Group III, Group IV: p= 0.0002). Survival rate was statistically significant (p<0.0001). NO concentrations in plasma, liver and spleen were determined. The amount of NO in plasma increased significantly in the infected groups (p=0.0003). Although, splenectomy decreased immune function against rodent malaria, it did not solely changed the pattern of antimalarial activity via NO-pathway. It is concluded that NO possibly comes from several sources rather than spleen during rodent malaria disease and is released into circulation, which may replace NO shortage by splenic cells to combat malaria parasites.

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common diseases worldwide and are significant indicators of the health status of communities, especially in developing countries. This study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in patients referring to Kashan diagnostic laboratories from July 2015 to August 2018. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 6921 patients referring to medical diagnostic laboratories, Kashan, central Iran. Fecal specimens were examined by direct smear and formalin-ether concentration methods. The results together with risk factors including sex, age were recorded and analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS 16 software. Out of the 6921 individuals examined, 3636 (52.5%) were male and 3285 (47.5%) were female. Microscopy revealed the prevalence of parasitic infection by 4.96% (4.96 ± 0.5). Totally 5.1% of males and 4.6% of females had intestinal parasite infections. No significant association was seen between sex, seasons, and parasite infections. Rate of infection to intestinal parasites were  Blastocystis spp. (3.06%), Entamoeba coli (0.95%), Giardia intestinalis (0.59%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.23%), Endolimax nana (0.20%), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.20%), Dientamoeba fragilis (0.14%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.07%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (0.05%), Hymenolepis nana (0.01%) was the only intestinal worm that observed in one individual. The results showed that 4.48% of the examined individuals were infected with one parasite, 0.39% with two and 0.08% with 3 or more parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in our study was lower than those from other areas of Iran and other countries, indicating an increase in health status as well as public awareness of infectious diseases.

Acanthamoeba, the causative agent of granulomatous amebic encephalitis )GAE), is among the most prevalent free-living amoebas (FLA) existing in water, soil and dust. This study was conducted to determine FLA and identify Acanthamoeba genotypes isolated from stagnant water in Kashan, Iran.
In this descriptive study, 138 stagnant water samples were collected from Kashan mosques and public parks. The samples were filtered (0.45µm) and cultured onto non-nutrient agar for the presence of FLA. Acanthamoeba spp. was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers, which amplified a 490 bp fragment. Among ten sequenced isolates of Acanthamoeba, different genotypes were determined by sequence analysis. The parameters such as pH, temperature, sampling season and related results were recorded and analyzed using SPSS16.
The rate of FLA was 88.4 %, 59.4% of which were confirmed as Acanthamoeba spp. using PCR method. The rate of Acanthamoeba T4 and T2 genotypes were 80% and 20%, respectively. There was a significant relation between FLA rate and sampling season (P= 0.01). The highest rate of FLA and Acanthamoeba was observed at pH 7. There was no significant relationship between FLA and Acanthamoeba spp. with pH and temperature.
The rate of FLA and Acanthamoeba in stagnant water were high in Kashan. The dominant Acanthamoeba genotype (T4) is pathogen. Due to serious amoeba-induced complications, hygienic education is recommended to increase the public awareness on transmission and health/preventive measurements.

Trichomoniasis, which is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world including Iran. There were roughly 250 million new cases all over the world in a year. T. vaginalis as an important disease has been associated with HIV (in terms of exposure to sexually transmitted infection, STI) which increases the number of high-risk members, and thus it is an important public health problem. Additionally, this pathogen has been associated with serious health consequences. For instance, it may cause a woman to deliver a low-birth-weight or premature infant, and increase chances of cervical cancer. Because little information is available about the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in Iranian population, this review was carried out to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis among Iranian population. For this systematic review, data about epidemiology of T. vaginalis in different parts of Iran with different populations were systematically collected from 1992 to 2017 through the international databases such as PubMed, Scirus, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Science Direct and Google Scholar and Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). National database searching included Iran Medex, Iran Doc, Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID). A total of 39 clinical and laboratory investigations about the prevalence of Trichomoniasis from different regions of Iran were analyzed. The overall prevalence rate of T. vaginalis infection in Iranian population was estimated to be minimally 0.4% and maximally 42%. The present review showed that T. vaginalis infection rate is relatively high among the Iranian population. The control strategies, including personal hygienic education, simultaneous couple treatment, the sensitivity of diagnostic methods, appropriate preventive tool (condom) in sexual contacts could lead to the disruption of transmission.

Acanthamoeba is one of the most common opportunistic free-living amoebae, with ubiquitous presence in various environmental sources. Pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis.
The aim of the present study was to identify Acanthamoeba genotypes in soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples from Kashan, Central Iran.
In this cross sectional study, a total of 122 samples from soil (n, 32), hospital dust (n, 40), and stagnant water (n, 50) were collected and examined for the presence of free-living amoebae and Acanthamoeba species. All the samples were cultured onto non-nutrient agar plates for detection of free-living amoebae. Acanthamoeba species was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, using specific primers. A total of 29 Acanthamoeba isolates were sequenced, and different genotypes were detected via sequence analysis.
The results showed that 82.8% (101/122) of samples were positive for free-living amoebae. The PCR assay revealed that 62.5%, 52.5%, and 50% of soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples were positive for Acanthamoeba species, respectively. Moreover, T4, T5, T2, T7, and T11 genotypes were identified. The most common genotype was T4 (76%), isolated from stagnant water.
Acanthamoeba is a prevalent species in the soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water of Kashan. As this protozoon can cause severe infections, health education and improvement of sanitation services are recommended for prevention of infection.

The protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Metronidazole is a chosen drug for the treatment. This study evaluated the anti trichomonal activity of alcoholic extracts of combination Verbascum thapsus and Ginger officinale.
This experimental study was conducted in the Parasitology Laboratory, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran in 2015, on 23 women with suspected trichomoniasis referring to Kashan clinical centers. Medium TYI-S-33 was used for culture of three T. vaginalis isolates. Different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 µg/ml) of V. thapsus and G. officinale ethanol extract added to Trichomonas trophozoites in 48-well plates and metronidazole considered as positive control and the negative control was TYI-S33 containing Trichomonas trophozoites without any drug. In all of mentioned groups, trophozoites number counted 12, 24, 48 h after culture. Results were analyzed using ANOVA statistical test, to evaluate the toxicity of extract, measured by MTT assay. Induced apoptosis of T. vaginalis after treatment with different concentrations of extract was determined by Flow Cytometry.
IC50 of alcoholic extract of combination V. thapsus and G. officinale and metronidazole after 24h was 73.80 µg/ml and 0.0326 µg/ml, respectively. The toxicity percentage of 25-800 μg/ml concentrations of this combination were between 0.2-1.98. In different concentrations of extract (25,50,100,200 and 400 µg/ml) apoptosis percent after 48h was 18.97 to 77.19 and necrosis percent was calculated 1.35, 3.18, 3.10, 1.16 and 4.09, respectively.
Alcoholic extract of combination V. thapsus and G. officinale induces programmed death in T. vaginalis. Due to no toxicity on macrophages, it can be examined in vivo studies.

Intestinal parasites are one of the most important human infections in many tropical and sub-tropical areas.
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their association with some demographic factors in patients referred to the Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital Khoy, West Azarbaijan province.
This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to March 2016. Stool samples of 5610 patients referred to the Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital were examined using the formalin-ether concentration and direct smear methods. Determination of intestinal parasites was based on the morphological characteristics of the parasites. The scotch tape method was used for detection of Enterobius vermicularis ova in 133 suspected individuals. Microscopic results were recorded and analyzed.
A total of 5610 people (51.6% male and 48.4% female) were examined. The mean age of the patients was 47.26 ± 1.3. Among these, 32.1% were infected to at least 1 of the intestinal parasites. Prevalence of protozoa and helminths parasites was 30.1% and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was: Blastocystis sp.12.9%, Giardia lamblia 11%, Entamoeba coli 4.1%, Iodamoeba butschlii 2.1%, Endolymax nana 1.5%, Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar 0.25%, Trichomonas hominis 0.09%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.09%, Hymenolypis nana 0.03%, and Enterobius vermicularis 4.5%.
Although the highest prevalence was in the age group of 20 - 29 years (31.8%), there was no significant relationship between age and parasite infection. However, a significant relationship was observed between the Giardia lamblia infection and age.
Human intestinal parasite infections, especially protozoan infection, are still abundant in the Khoy region. Adequate knowledge and periodic surveillance of the prevalence of parasites and the variables that affect frequency are important for effective control.