Search

determine the prevalence of the Amoebic dysentery among children under the The present study aims to age of five years in Thi-Qar province during the period from October 2022 to August 2023 and to study the effects of some factors such as sex, age, location, source of drinking water and others on the prevalence of the disease. Study was carried out at the Bint Al-Huda Educational Hospital for Women and Children and Mohammed al-Musawi Hospital in Thi-Qar Province, 697 samples of feces were collected from children with diarrhea and examined by direct microscopic examination. The results showed that 100 out of 697 and %14.34 % of children were infected with Entamoeba spp. No significant differences (p>0.05) were recorded in prevalence of Entamoeba spp. according to sex and the infected males %7.46% more than infected females 6.88%. A significant differences (p≤0.05) were observed in the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. according to age groups, the highest infection percent on the age group (48-60 months) 5% and the lowest infection percent on the age group (<12 months) 1.43 %. No significant differences (p>0.05) were recorded in prevalence of Entamoeba spp. according to months of the year, the high percent 23.33% in June and the lowest percent 10.67% in November. The study recorded significant differences (p≤0.05) in infection percent according to the location, the percent of infected children living in rural 9.75% more than infected children living in the urban 4.59%. The study recorded significant differences in prevalence of Entamoeba spp. according parent educational level. The high percent of infection was recorded in children belonging to parents without educational attainment 6.89%. The results showed that there were no differences (p>0.05) in prevalence of Entamoeba spp. according to source of drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the evaluation of intestinal parasites as a cause of diarrhea in children and the treatments used in Babylon Governorate. The study collected stool samples from children with diarrhea and found that the most prevalent parasites were Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. The study also examined the effectiveness of different drugs in treating these parasites, with metronidazole and albendazole being highly effective. The study suggests that urban inhabitants are more likely to suffer from parasitic diarrhea. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is the third major contributor to human mortality and morbidity outside of malaria and schistosomiasis. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. among outpatients of two teaching hospitals in Duhok city who agreed to participate in the study from April 2021 to March 2022 to assess the impact of associated risk variables on the infection rate. Methodology: Stool specimens were collected from outpatients suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in two teaching hospitals: Azadi and Heevi Pediatric in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The collected stool specimens were examined macroscopically, followed by microscopic examination using the direct wet mount and zinc sulfate flotation methods, respectively. Result: Infection with Entamoeba species was recorded in 21.68% (562/2592) of the analyzed specimens. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (67.43% vs. 32.56%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.000). The highest rate was seen in the age group 1-10 years (p < 0.001). Lower levels of education, low incomes, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, drinking well water, eating frequently outside of homes, not using antidiarrheal medications and living in overcrowded families were risk factors that showed high levels of infection (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The present study concluded that improving living conditions, providing clean water, and promoting health education programs are essential to reduce the rate of this disease among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan that is found worldwide. The degree of pathogenesis of clinical isolates varies greatly. This study was aimed to molecular identification of E. histolytica in children using the nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR), and then, a genotyping of positive E. histolytica isolates using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay through targeting serine-rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP) gene. For this purpose, a total of 50 bloody diarrheic stool samples were collected from the children attended to the Al-Zahraa' Teaching Hospital and Alkut Hospital for Gynecology, Obstetric and Pediatrics (Alkut, Wasit, Iraq) were subjected to the present study from September to December 2021. Firstly, the extracted DNAs that amplified using specific primers through targeting 18S rRNA gene and tested using nPCR assay were revealed an overall 48% (24/50) positive samples for E. histolytica. For genotyping, our results were detected an existence of four different genotypes (I, II, III and IV) with a significant prevalence of Genotype-II (54.17%) when compared to Genotype-I (20.83%), Genotype-III (12.5%) and Genotype-IV (12.5%). In addition, results of melting temperature of targeted genotypes were 84°C, 83 - 83.5°C, 82.5°C and 81°C for Genotype-I, II, III and IV, respectively. In conclusion, molecular amplification of 18S rRNA gene was revealed the large prevalence of E. histolytica among bloody diarrheic children of study areas; while, amplification of SREHP gene was reflected the widespread phenotypic variation of the Genotype-II suggesting the high ability of this genotype to spread infection in children. In different endemic areas as Iraq, the utilization of high-resolution genotyping methods showed the extremely polymorphic genetic structure of this parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protozoan that caused amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery, it is an intestinal disease which infects colon and liver Amoebic dysentery is spread all over the world. E. histolytica is causing the death of human cells and leading to develop invasion, and ulceration of the intestine. However, amebic liver abscess (ALA) considers as major common extraintestinal disease caused by E. histolytica. The current study was designed to estimate the effect of E. histolytica trophozoite on liver functions through the evaluation of some bio-chemical parameters for patients with amebiasis. Blood sample were collected from patients with amoebic dysentery after diagnosed about 100 from stool sample from them microscopically and detected by PCR technique to confirm the infection with am-amebiasis, all sample with amoebiasis were subjected to biochemical study after the separation of serum. Biochemical parameters that included during this study were AST, ALT and ALP. Lipid profile included Triglyceride and Cholesterol as well as some minerals like Iron, Zinc, and Potassium. The results for the level of AST and ALT were showed a high significant difference (P<0.01) where AST was (22.84+/-7.83) in patients' compared with (55.36+/-16.8) in control groups and ALT level Was (20.4+/-9.37) in patients compared with (47+/-20.1) in control groups. Additionally, there is no significant difference (p>0.05) in ALP level where it was (351.7+/-235.2) in patients with amoebic dysentery compared with (336. 13+/-204.08) in controls group. Triglyceride were also checked in patients with amoebic dysentery and the results showed that a significant difference (p<0.05) between (166.72+/-62.4) in patients and (135. 43+/-45.2) in control groups. Cholesterol level was also checked in patients and the results showed there is no significant difference (P>0.05) between (185.8+/-77.2) in patients and (160.19+/-51.3) in controls groups. In addition, some minerals were studied during the following study like Iron, Zinc, and Potassium for patients with and the results were not showed a significant difference (P>0.05) in zinc, potassium and iron where the level of iron were (85.24+/-16.58) in patients compared with (81.22+/-15.5) in control groups, while the level of zinc were (108.09+/-24.4) in patients and (101.76+/-24.4) in control groups, the level of potassium were (3.73+/-1.89) in patients and compared with (3.84+/-1.14) in control groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protozoans of Entamoeba spp. are globally distributed protozoan parasites that infect diverse hosts (human and animals) causing amebiasis with various symptoms ranging from abdominal discomfort, indigestion, diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea, and even death. Entamoeba histolytica infection may be influenced by different strains which are already existing in our population. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the sequence comparison and geneflow of E. histolytica in Iraq and Iran. For this purpose, all reference sequences recorded from the aforementioned countries and deposited in the National Centre for Biology Information (NCBI) database of the mentioned countries (133 reference sequences, 110 from Iraq and 23 from Iran) were included in this study. After aligning and blasting all these sequences and considering the shared regions, eight unique sequences were obtained. According to the Codon-based Z-test of selections, they vary in degree of difference (p-value 0.05). Some records from the study area approached each other 100% which means that geneflow has occurred in the areas under investigation. Outstanding phylogenetic relationship of Entamoeba histolytica of both Iraq and Iran strains are related together and that is important in the molecular epidemiology aspect of amebiasis as it may influence the clinical and pharmacological orientation of the disease in both countries. Current meta-analysis was done for the first time in that approach in the place this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of amoebic infection in Sulaymaniyah province and measuring of some immunological parameters among amoebic infected children. Methods: The current study was carried out in the pediatric teaching hospital in Sulaymaniyah governorate from September to December 2021. A total of 560 stool samples were collected from diarrheal children for direct microscopical examination. Also, in a case-control study serum was taken from 80 infected children and 80 parasite-free children for estimation of IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α levels using the ELISA technique. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS program, using Chi-square and ANOVA test. P ≤ 0.05 consider a significant difference. Results: The total prevalence of amoebic infection was (16.1%), males recorded a higher infection rate was (17.7%), while the female was (14.3%), (P > 0.05). The age group between (1-6) years had a significantly higher prevalence (21.5%), while those under than (1 year) old was recorded the lowest lower infection rate (7.54%), (P < 0.05). Prevalene in rural (20.3%), in urban (13.8%), (P < 0.05). The patients who used general tap water for drinking recorded the highest rate of infection (19%). The highest prevalence documented in September (19.5%), followed by October (16%), then November (11.2%), without significant difference, (P > 0.05). The highest amoebic infection rate was recorded in those children whose mother was illiterate (19.8%). Serum levels of IL-17 were not significantly different between infected children and control groups, (P > 0.05); however, IFN γ level was reported to be significantly different (P < 0.05) while, TNF-α serum level recorded a highly significant difference, (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We concluded that the prevalence of amoebic infection was (16.1%) in Sulaymaniyah province among symptomatic children based on the microscopic diagnosis. The immunological assessment of IL-17 showed that there was no significant difference between infected and control individuals, while the rest of IFN-γ and TNF-α documented significant and highly significant differences respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the present status of amoebiasis in Thi-Qar Province in southern Iraq, and to determine the presence of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar with nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: Epidemiological data were obtained from the public health department of the Thi-Qar Health Office (2015-2020). Eighty stool samples were also randomly collected from patients ≤12 year of age with diarrhea at 2 hospitals between the beginning of February 2020 and the end of October 2020. These samples were selected after microscopy to identify the 18S rRNA gene in Entamoeba DNA.Results: Of the 341,554 cases of intestinal parasitic infections, 38,004 (11.1%) individuals were recorded as having amoebiasis, which accounted for the highest proportion of infections in 2015 (26.1%) and the lowest in 2020 (8.1%). Amoebiasis was distributed among all age groups, with the age group of 5-14 years accounting for the highest proportion (27.3%). In molecular testing, 42 (52.5%) out of 80 samples were positive for the 18S rRNA gene (888 bp). Using nested PCR, E. histolytica (439 bp) was detected in 25 (31.3%) samples and E. dispar (174 bp) in 14 (17.5%), while using real-time PCR, E. histolytica and E. dispar were detected in 28 (35.0%) and 15 (18.8%) samples, respectively.Conclusions: Epidemiological data confirmed that amoebiasis is endemic in this province, and is not limited to certain months. Our study confirms the applicability of molecular identification to detect pathogenic and non-pathogenic Entamoeba to prescribe the appropriate drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amebiasis is an important cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and has been associated with childhood malnutrition. E.histolytica diagnosed usually by microscope, which consider as traditional diagnosis and are neither sensitive nor specific detection of Entamoeba histolytica(1). Real-time PCR assay developed for sensitive and specific detection of the intestinal Protozoan parasites Entamoeba histolytica directly from human feces(2). The RT-PCR assay was able to detect as little as 0.1 parasite per g of feces(3). The current study based on Phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK) is a major enzyme used in glycolysis, in the first ATPgenerating step of the glycolytic pathway so the PGK is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of a phosphate group from 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG) to ADP producing 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) and ATP(4). In our study, depend on PGK as target for Real time PCR assay for detection the trophozoite stage of E.histolytica in stool samples of infected persons. In the current study, a total of 300 human fecal samples were collected from children (less than one year-15 year) that suspected to infection with amoebiasis which admitted to hospitals and primary care centers in the city center, Al-Hindiya district and Nahiat Al-Hurr (100 samples from each region) during the period from February 2019 to January 2020. Fecal samples processed by direct wet smear and formalin ethyl acetate concentration method followed by iodine staining and was microscopically examined for E.histolytica. Microscopically positive samples were then subject to Real-time PCR. This is the first study in Iraq using the Phosphoglyceratekinase gene as target for molecular techniques to determine the presence of E. histolytica trophozoites in stool samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to explore the Entamoebahistolytica in 500 patients (human stool) selected from a private laboratory in Baghdad/Iraq during the period from 1st of April 2018 till the 31th of August, by using the iodine stain to detect the stages of parasite in all samples, evaluate the prevalence of the parasite between males and females and to evaluate the relationship of the parasite in selected months of this study. This study showed that the total number of infected patients is 394 from 500 taken sample. The high incidence (81.13%) is occurred in August and the low incidence (76.84%)is occurred in April. This result showed no significant differences appeared between the chosen months of the study (P<0.01). The result of this study showed no significant differences (p<0.01) appeared between the males and females of the study, the number of infected patients are (192 males out of 240 and 202 females out of 260). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas tenax, a commensal flagellated protozoan, inhabits in human oral cavity. This parasite is cosmopolitan and frequently found in patients with poor oral hygiene and advanced periodontal disease. By using wet mount smear and giemsa staining to detect the prevalence of oral protozoa in patients with oral diseases and a healthy control group. From October 2014 to April 2015, the subgingival dental plaques of 310 patients with gingivitis or periodontitis and 310 controls who attended to clinics periodontics, in Babylon province. 64 (20.6 %) of patients were positive (40.2 % periodontitis,14.2 % gingivitis) by using wet preparation and Giemsa staining. The prevalence of oral Trichomonas tenax in our study (20.6%) and Entamoeba gingivalis was (42.9 %) was compatible with many other published reports which mostly has ranged from 12%-32%.The study revealed dependence between the frequency of occurrence of protozoa and the state of periodontitis.the age group (41-50)yr. Have high incidence of T.tenax compared with an other groups,as well as the males have high incidence(24.7 %) than females (16.8 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attention in the current study was payed to the identification of pathogenic Entamoebahistolytica(PEH) using molecular techniques targetedtheamoebapore C (AP-C) gene in fecal samples of camels from Babylon province, Iraq. Fifty, 50 camels, fecal samples were collected and analyzed in a laboratory using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to detect the amplification of the AP-C gene. The results demonstrated that 28 (56%) out of 50 samples were positive for the presence of the AP-C gene. The findings showed high efficiency rate (99.7%) of the current used technique in detecting the gene in the fecal samples of camels.The present work provides interesting data about the current presence of the pathogenic Entamoebahistolytica in the feces of the tested camels from Babylon Province, Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the microevolutionary scales of Entamoeba isolates, the gene migration shows how Entamoeba spp. has epidemiologically drifted among border countries. Five hundred fecal samples were taken from patients suffering gastrointestinal disorders, abdominal pain, and diarrhea at Saggez, northwest Iran located within the border Iraq country. Following parasitological techniques, DNA samples were extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 18S rRNA region to identify Entamoeba infections. To distinguish the Entamoeba spp., a multiplex PCR was conducted. Amplicons were sequenced to reconfirm their heterogeneity traits and phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, Entamoeba histolytica sequences of Iraq were retrieved from GenBank database. The suspected isolates were diagnosed as E. histolytica (2.2 %), Entamoeba moshkovskii (1 %), and Entamoeba dispar (0.4 %). Mixed Entamoeba infections did not detect among isolates. A parsimonious network of the sequence haplotypes displayed star-like features in the overall isolates containing E.h1, E.d2, and E.m3 as the most common haplotypes. According to analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) test, high partial value of haplotype diversity (0.700 to 0.800) of E. histolytica was shown the total genetic variability within populations while nucleotide diversity was low among Iranian and Iraqi metapopulations. Neutrality indices of the 18S rRNA were shown negative values in E. histolytica populations which indicating significant deviations from neutrality. A pairwise fixation index ( F-statistics [ Fst]) as a degree of gene flow had a low value for all populations (0.001) while the number of migrants was 2.48. The statistically Fst value indicates that E. histolytica isolates are not genetically differentiated among shared isolates of Iran and Iraq. Occurrence of E.h1 between two regional populations indicates that there is dawn of Entamoeba flow due to transfer of alleles from one population to another population through host mobility and ecological alterations. To evaluate the hypothetical evolutionary scenario, further study is required to analyze Entamoeba spp. in the neighboring Middle East countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]