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Hydatid cyst mainly involves the liver and lung; however, it can rarely involve cardiac tissue. This study describes the presence of hydatid cysts in the heart with considerable disease points in Tehran, Iran. Two cases aged between 25 to 50 years with cardiac hydatid cyst involvement were identified in 2021 in Tehran, Iran. Epicardial hydatid cyst between a left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left obtuse marginal artery (OM) on the left ventricle, and in the second case, intrapericardial cyst attached to the pulmonary trunk with a thin base were identified. The cardial cysts were resected, and the patients recovered without any complications. Cardiac hydatid cyst is a very rare disease. Rapid diagnosis and surgical and medical care are necessary for treatment.

Myiasis is an infestation caused by dipterous larvae. Nosocomial myiasis usually occurs in bedridden patients. Herein, we report a nasal myiasis in a 12-year-old female with cerebral palsy (CP) from Tehran, Iran and provide morphological identification of Lucilia sericata as the causative agent. The infection was identified 10 days after the hospital admission. It can be categorized as a nosocomial infection. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of nasal myiasis in the pediatric age group from Tehran, Iran.

Background: Stray cats are considered an important source of various human and animal diseases, particularly diseases of parasitic helminths. We aimed to investigate the distribution of zoonotic species of gastrointestinal helminths in stray cats in Meshkin-Shahr district in Ardabil Province in the northwest of Iran. Methods: The gastrointestinal tract of 104 stray cats from villages of Meshkin-Shahr district were provided during 2014-2015. Each gastrointestinal tract was cut into distinct sections, including esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, and each section was examined separately for detection of helminths. Helminths were collected and then identified at the species level after clearing and staining. Results: Overall, 88 out of 104 cats (84.6%) were found to be infected with at least one gastrointestinal helminth. The rate of infection for each species was as follows: Toxocara mystax (syn. cati) (49%), Taenia taeniaeformis (44.2%), Joyexiella pasqualei (32.7%), Dipylidium caninum (23.1%), Rictularia cahirensis (4.8%), and Physaloptera praeputialis (4.8%). Among these parasites, only Ph. praeputialis was collected from the stomach, all other helminths were collected from the small intestine. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a high infection rate of stray cats with zoonotic helminths. The presence of zoonotic species in stray cats, particularly T. mystax, has public health importance.

Background: In this study, some microsporidial and coccidian parasites were isolated from 103 domestic cats in the Meshkin Shahr area, northwestern Iran during the Jun 2014 to Jun 2015, and their genera were identified using parasitological methods with emphasis on their zoonotic importance. Methods: One hundred and three fecal samples of domestic cats were collected and preserved in formalin (10%) and conserved in phosphate buffer saline solution, finally examined by microscopy after formalin-ether concentration and specific staining. Preservation in dichromate potassium (2.5%) was performed for all coccidian positive samples and then sporulated coccidian oocysts were investigated. Results: The detected parasites were Isospora spp. 6/103(5.8%). Microsporidian spores were identified in 46/103 (44.6%) of all samples post-stained by the aniline blue staining method. Conclusion: Microsporidial infections were more prevalent in domestic cats. Further studies are needed in the identification of microsporidial spores isolated from infected cats.

Background: The Totiviridae family includes a number of double-stranded RNA viruses that can infect Trichomonas vaginalis. Some T. vaginalis isolates are infected with one or more double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses. In this study, different strains of double-stranded RNA virus in Iranian isolates of T. vaginalis were evaluated for the first time in Iran. Methods: Vaginal swabs were collected from 1550 participants who were referred to hospitals associated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from June to November 2018. T. vaginalis isolates were cultured in Diamond's modified medium. After the extraction of nucleic acids using a DNA/RNA extraction kit, RT-PCR was performed and PCR products were purified and sequenced. Results: In general 9 (0.6%) isolates were confirmed as T. vaginalis among 1550 collected vaginal samples. Among 9 isolates of T. vaginalis, three of them were infected with TVV1. One isolate has multiple infections with T. vaginalis virus (TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3) as coinfection. The nucleotide BLAST indicated that the T. vaginalis virus 1(TVV1) isolates were most closely related to TVV1-OC5, TVV1-UR1-1.The T. vaginalis virus 2 (TVV2) sequence had also a similarity with TVV2-UR1-1, TVV2-UR1 and TVV2-OC3. The sequence of T. vaginalis virus 3(TVV3) had similarity with TVV3-OC5, TVV3-UR1-1 and TVV3-UR1. Conclusion: Three dsRNA viruses T. vaginalis virus (TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3) were detected using RT-PCR in T. vaginalis Iranian isolates. The coinfection of TVV1, TVV2 and TVV3 in one isolate of T.vaginalis was observed for the first time in Iran.

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection cause trichomoniasis. In this study prevalence and genotype of Iranian isolates of T. vaginalis infected (dsRNA) viruses were evaluated by PCR-RFLP and obtained patterns were then confirmed by sequence analysis and genotype of these Iranian isolates confirmed again. Methods: Ten strains of T.vaginalis were collected from 1700 vaginal samples of women referred to hospitals associated with Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran during Feb 2016 to Jul 2017, evaluated in points of infection to T. vaginalis Virus (TVV-1) were used in a PCR-RFLP. All of ten isolates of T. vaginalis were examined by designed nested PCR for actin gene and then digestion patterns of three endonuclease enzymes of HindII, MseI and RsaI were evaluated and genotype of these isolates was defined. Results: By combination of fragments pattern of three enzymes of HindII, RsaI and MseI, three genotypes were found; six genotypes E, two genotypes G and two genotypes I. The most dominant genotypes were genotype E. Among four TVV infected isolates two genotype E, one genotype G and one genotype I were found, however among six uninfected T. vaginalis isolates to TVV-1, all of three genotypes were also found. Conclusion: Three genotypes E, G and I in T. vaginalis infected with dsRNA isolates were found, however, these three genotypes in T. vaginalis without virus were also observed. Further study is needed to evaluate genotypes of T. vaginalis, which infected virus in more great T. vaginalis population.

Background: Majority of parasitic infections in rodents have zoonotic importance. This study aimed to determine the frequency and intensity of intestinal protozoa infections of rodents including Meriones persicus, Mus musculus and, Cricetulus migratorius. Methods: This survey was conducted in Meshkin Shahr district in northwestern Iran from Mar. to Dec. of 2014. Intestinal samples of 204 rodents including M. persicus (n=117), M. musculus (n=63) and C. migratorius (n=24) were parasitologically examined. Formalin-ether concentration method was done for all of rodents stool samples and observed with light microscope. All of suspected cases were stained with trichorome staining Method. Cultivation in dichromate potassium 2.5% was carried out for all of coccidian positive samples. Acid fast and aniline blue staining methods were used for detecting of coccidian oocysts and intestinal microsporidial spores, respectively. Results: About 121(59.3%) of the caught rodents were generally infected with intestinal protozoa. Entamoeba muris 14(6.9%), Trichomonas muris 55(27.0%), Chilomastix betencourtti 17 (8.3%), Giardia muris 19(9.3%), Eimeria spp. 46(22.5%), Isospora spp. 4(2%) and Cryptosporidium spp. 1(0.5%) were found from the collected rodents. Microsporidian spores were identified in 63 (31%) out of the 204 collected rodents using aniline blue staining method. Conclusion: Since some of the infections are zoonotic importance thus, control of rodents can be decreased new cases of the parasitic zoonoses in humans.

Background: Rodents have important role as reservoirs of different parasites. The aim of this study was to determine helminth parasites of abundant rodents in Meshkin-Shahr, Ardabil Province northwest Iran. Methods: From April 2014 to March 2015; 205 rodents including 118 Meriones persicus, 63 Mus musculus and 24 Cricetulus migratorius were collected, using live traps. All rodents were dissected and their different tissues examined for infectivity with helminth parasites. Results: Overall, 74.2% of rodents were infected with helminth parasites. The rate of infectivity in M. persicus, M. musculus and C. migratorius was 82.2%, 61.9%, 66.7%, respectively. In general, among all 205 rodents, the species and infection rates of helminthes were as follows: Nematoda: Trichuris sp. (46.8 %), Capillaria hepatica (18.1%), Syphacia frederici (14.2%), Aspicularis tetraptera (3.4%), Trichuris rhombomidis (2%), Heligmosomom sp. (2%), Streptopharagus kuntzi (0.5%), Spiruridae gen. sp. (0.5%); Cestoda: Hymenolepis nana fraterna (16.6%) Hymenolepis diminuta (7.3%) tetratiridium of Mesocestoides sp. (1%), Paranoplocephala sp. (0.5%), Cysticercus fasciolaris (0.5%), Taenia endothoracicus larva (0.5%), and Acanthocephala: Moniliformis moniliformis (18.5%). Conclusions: Variable species of helminthes circulate in the rodents of the study area. Presence of several zoonotic species highlights the potential risk of infections for public health.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections have a worldwide distribution. High prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in individuals with low socioeconomic status and environmental conditions was found. No study has ever been conducted on the prevalence of these infections in Jiroft. Therefore, in this study prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was evaluated in Jiroft, Kerman Province, Iran. Methods: A total of 1060 individuals from rural and urban areas of Jiroft were sampled accidentally, during 2013-2014. Fresh stool samples were collected from all individuals and examined by formalin ether concentration and agar plate culture. Direct examination was performed on watery samples. Results: Out of 1060 individuals, 563 (53.1%) and 497 (46.9%) people were from rural and urban areas, respectively. In general, 297 individuals (28%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of infection for protozoa and helminthes infections were 27.4% and 1.8%, respectively. The most prevalent protozoans were Blastocystis hominis (13.7%) and Giardia lamblia (7.8%), and that of helminth was Hymenolepis nana (1.1%). Conclusion: Intestinal protozoan parasites were more prevalent than helminth parasites. Source of water supply and personal hygiene were important factors in the distribution of parasites in the study area.

Background: This study aimed to compare three staining methods including: Calcofluor white, Chromotrope and Quick Hot Gram chromotrope used in diagnosis of intestinal microsporidial spores. Methods: One hundred and seventy five stool specimens were collected from patients referred to Laboratory of Intestinal Protozoology at the School of Public Health, Tehran university of Medical Sciences during 2012-2013. All of specimens were evaluated by nested PCR. The formalin–fixed stool samples were prepared from each specimen and dried at room temperature for 10 min, followed by 10 min methanol fixation. All the collected stoolsamples were evaluated blindly by calcofluor white, Chromotrope and Quick Hot Gram chromotrope staining methods separately. Results : Microsporidial spores were recognized using Chromotrope, Quick Hot Gram chromotrope and Calcofluor white, in16 of 18 (88.8%), 17 of 18 (94.4%) and 18 of18(100%) samples that were positive by nested PCR respectively. Regarding 14 stool samples that were negative by nested PCR, 14 cases were negative bychromotrope and Quick hot Gram chromotrope and 13 samples were negative by Calcofluor white. One discordant sample interpreted as false positive. Conclusion: Calcofluor white staining had the best performance for the detection of intestinal Microsprora spores and can be used as initial screen test for the detection of intestinal Microspora spp