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Mansonella perstans infections are widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America and thus can be considered as the most prevalent parasite of man in tropical Africa. In contrast to the high prevalence, knowledge about the biology of this filarial nematode is restricted and no effective treatment regimens of this ivermectin-resistant parasite is lacking. An obstacle for the research is that M. perstans resides in body cavities and thus have been only rarely recovered during surgery or autopsy. Therefore, alternative methods like in vitro culture systems need to be implemented to decipher the nature of mansonellosis and effective drugs. Previously, we have established a monkey kidney epithelial cell-based in vitro culture for the maintenance of M. perstans infective larvae (L3) up to 77 days. However, no alternative for this culture system have been postulated to allow longer survival rates and development of adult worms in vitro. Thus, we aim to establish an alternative in vitro culture system for M. perstans L3. M. perstans L3 were isolated from engorged and laboratory reared Culicoides midges. The larvae were then cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with either 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 10% newborn calf serum (NCS) or 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) together with human colon carcinoma cells (HCT-8) as feeder cells. Survival and growth were recorded. We obtained that the 10% NCS culture condition was superior allowing long-term maintenance of M. perstans L3 for up to 100 days and boosted growth of the parasites for up to 5-folds compared to the initial size at culture inception. Although no moulting of the L3 into L4 or adult worms could be overserved, the human colon carcinoma cell-based in vitro culture provides an alternative platform to analyse M. perstans biology and screen for novel drugs against M. perstans. [Display omitted] • Mansonella perstans is considered as the most prevalent parasite of man in tropical Africa. • In vitro culture systems for long-term maintenance of M. perstans are mandatory. • Human colon carcinoma cell-based culture allows parasite survival. • Addition of 10% newborn calf serum allow parasite survival and growth for up to 100 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacterial resistance to commonly-used antibiotics has been on the increase especially in the clinical settings. This study focused on the detection of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants in ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria recovered from Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) samples. Results: Already characterized isolates from urine samples of UTI-diagnosed in- and out- patients were obtained from the culture pool of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of seventy-three ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates were used in this study. Of the 73 UTI isolates, 43 carried at least one of the four PMQR genes targeted and they belonged to eight bacterial genera namely: Escherichia (25), Klebsiella (10), Pseudomonas (2), Proteus (2) and one isolate each belonging to Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Citrobacter and Salmonella genera. qnrA was detected in 10.9% (8/73) of the isolates while the occurrence of qnrB and qnrS was 32.9% (24/73) and 20.5% (15/73), respectively. The quinolone efflux pump (qepA) was detected in 9/73 (12.3%) of the isolates. Thirty of the isolates carried only one PMQR gene, while thirteen carried two PMQR genes. There was no carriage of more than two PMQR genes in the forty-three isolates from which PMQR genes were detected. Conclusion: This study reports the carriage of PMQR determinants by eight of the nine Gram-negative bacterial genera from urinary sources in patients attending the University College Hospital, Ibadan over the four-month period of study. This is quite worrisome as it suggests a high contribution of UTI cases to the burden of quinolone resistance. There is a need for more studies of this nature in other hospitals in Nigeria, to develop a database on the contribution of UTI cases to quinolone resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives　To explore a better online teaching model for MBBS international students under the impact of COVID-19. Methods　 The “PPT+ voice mode” based on rain classroom and the “live online mode” based on Dingding software were used for online teaching. The advantages and disadvantages of the two modes were evaluated by analyzing students’ attendance rate and test scores. Questionnaire was used to explore students’ acceptance of online teaching. Results　 The attendance rates of the batch 2018 "PPT + voice courseware" group and the batch 2019 "live online mode" group were （ 89.66±5.58） % and （ 95.67±1.94） %, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant （P < 0.001）. The results of knowledge content test were （ 72.49±22.12） and （ 69.94±11.34） respectively, and there was no significant difference between them （ P > 0.05）. The final exam scores were （71.56±7.44） and （88.40±4.95） respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （ P < 0.000 1） . The results of the questionnaire survey are that 7.14% of students prefer online teaching. 74.08% students have no preference for online teaching methods. Conclusion Compared with "PPT+ voice mode", "live online mode" based on Dingding software yielded higher attendance rate and better final exam results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demodex spp. mites are external obligate parasites; they are transmitted between hosts through direct contact, and may induce several dermatological symptoms when found in large numbers. However, these symptoms may be similar to other commonly known diseases; this often leads dermatologists to neglect the pathogenic role of these mites. Therefore, a better diagnosis is recommended in order to avoid mistreatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Demodex mites and dermatological diseases. Infestation rates in patients suffering from acne, rosacea, folliculitis, and psoriasis were compared with asymptomatic patients, along with the mites’ relation to gender, age, personal hygiene, time of year, and residency. These mites were mainly found in patients with rosacea (66.67%) followed by acne (64.41%), while they were only observed in 48.15% of asymptomatic patients, 40.00% in folliculitis, and 0.00% in psoriasis. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between infestation and the previously mentioned dermatological diseases (P<0.01). The infestation rates increased significantly with age, reaching 83.33% in patients above 60 years old, and especially during cold months with higher humidity rates. These mites were also more predominantly found in urban areas (56.10%), followed by rural areas (48.45%). However, there was no significant relationship according to gender or personal hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been highly associated with carbapenem resistance in which carbapenemases has been suggested to be a major contributory factor. Hence the objective of this study was to phenotypically detect KPC-type carbapenemase, metallo-β-lactamase and OXA-48 carbapenemase production in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria Methodology: One hundred and seventy-one P. aeruginosa isolates consecutively recovered from clinical specimens of patients with infections at the Medical Microbiology and Parasitology laboratory of the hospital were identified using MicrobactTM 24E kit. Preliminary screening for carbapenem resistance was determined by the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar using single discs of meropenem and imipenem. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production among carbapenem-resistant isolates was performed by the combination disc test of meropenem-phenylboronic acid (MRPBO) and meropenem-dipicolinic acid (MRPDP) as recommended by EUCAST 2013 guideline. Results: Out of the 171 P. aeruginosa isolates, 35 (20.5%) were carbapenem non-susceptible (resistant) while carbapenemase production was detected in 27 (77.1%) of these carbapenem resistant isolates, and no enzyme was detected in 8 (22.9%). Of the 27 carbapenemase producing isolates, 22 (81.5%) produced MBL, 1 (3.7%) produced KPC, while 4 (14.8%) produced both KPC and MBL enzymes. Conclusion: This study revealed that carbapenem resistance among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in our institution is gradually increasing. The mechanism for this rise is associated with carbapenemases, with MBL being the major carbapenemase involved. There is the need to ensure strict compliance with the LUTH infection control guidelines in order to check the rising incidence of infection caused by carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acanthamoebae are a causative agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in immunocompetent individuals. Since access to propamidine isethionate (Brolene®) as a first-line treatment has been limited in recent years, in the current study, we examined the effects of pentamidine isethionate against trophozoite and cyst forms of Acanthamoeba. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in the Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, during 2019-2020. Pentamidine isethionate at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 µM were tested against trophozoites and cyst stages of T4 genotype, at 24- and 48-hour incubation period, and the viability was determined by trypan blue staining. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of the drug was examined in Vero cells using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of pentamidine isethionate on trophozoite after 24 and 48h were 97.4 µM and 60.99 µM. These results on cyst after 24 and 48h were 470 µM and 175.5 µM, respectively. In MTT assay, the drug showed an inhibitory effect on Vero cell growth with IC50 values of 115.4 µM and 87.42 µM after 24h and 48h, respectively. Conclusion: Pentamidine isethionate exhibited an inhibitory effect on trophozoite and cyst. Given that the trophozoicidal activity of the drug is in the safe dose, it could be suggested as an alternative in patients with AK; however, further investigation is needed in an animal model to confirm the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the theses prepared in the field of medical parasitology in Türkiye and to reveal the importance given to the science of parasitology in the groves of academe and to raise awareness in this field., Methods: Council of Higher Education's National Thesis Center database has been analyzed postgraduate these documents conducted in the field of medical parasitology from January 1985 to September 2022., Results: As a result of the examining, 393 theses made in the field of medical parasitology were detected. It was determined that 52.9% of the theses prepared were master, 28% of PhD and 19.1% were the thesis of medical specialty thesis and 61.3% of the theses prepared were related to protozoa, 16.5% of helminths, 8.6% arthropods and 12.2% of intestinal parasites (helminth and protozoa). The top five types of parasites in the theses were Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Echinococcus spp., Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. respectively., Conclusion: In conclusion, it was of the opinion that more importance should be given to the field of medical parasitology in Türkiye.

Background: Enterobius vermicularis is one of the most common parasitic helminths causing infection in children worldwide causing distressing lifestyle and health problems. The empirical use of anthelminthic drugs without medical supervision and low compliance to treatment protocols lead to resistance to therapy. Objective: To assess the efficacy of albendazole mass treatment alone compared to the combined albendazoleflubendazole regimen for treatment of recurrent and resistant Enterobius vermicularis infection in children and their families. Subject and Methods: It was a clinical trial that included 130 children 3-12 years old with resistant Enterobius vermicularis infection determined by the following inclusion criteria for treatment resistance. This study was carried out at the Pediatrics outpatient Clinic at Al-Azhar University Hospitals, and the Medical Parasitology Department at Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University at New Damietta city, Egypt. Results: 36 out of 65 (55.4%) children in the albendazole treated group and 54 out of 65(83.1%) in the albendazoleflubendazole treated group was cured with significantly higher efficacy for the albendazole-flubendazole regimen. The laboratory data showed improvement in post-treatment phase especially for albendazole- flubendazole treated groups for hemoglobin%, total leukocytic counts, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts that improved by time and a decline in the reported eosinophilia. The clinical data were significantly warning the presence of infection however they did not define the significance of treatment efficacy or resistance. Conclusion: Enterobiasis is a childhood health problem with potential resistance to regular therapeutic protocols. Using albendazole- flubendazole combined regimen showed promising results in the treated groups superior to albendazole alone against resistant Enterobius vermicularis infection in children. This gives promising results encouraging further evaluation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A huge number of other departments including JIPMER - Pondicherry had a vibrant Department of Parasitology. [INLINE:1] As an eminent expert member in various prestigious organizations, please share your views and research experience in parasitology When I started my career, the term "Biotechnology" was not even coined. And from the precursor, many other departments have originated in PGI, like a Department of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Biology, etc., So science doesn't stop at one place, it evolves. In my department, the courses had all those building blocks, and we also taught health sciences because biotechnology courses are related to health and though I left the department many, many years back, but it's still running very strongly. [Extracted from the article]

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Dr. Mehdi Assmar is a prominent researcher in Iran, with a specialization in parasitology and medical entomology, who has done a large amount of research related to the public health in Pasteur Institute of Iran and other institutions or universities for four decades. Most of his research has been on plague, recurrent fever, malaria, toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis. Discovering the cause of resistance to plague infection among the rodents of the Kurdistan region is one of his important achievements. During his research, he found the extent of plague in the studied areas, the frequency of wild rodents and their external and internal parasites, the susceptibility of different strains of plague strains to antibiotics, and the effectiveness of systemic toxins in controlling the rodent fleas. This paper provides an overview of his scientific activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimaa M Badr-Eldin,4,5 Amina M Bagher,1 Basma Eid,1 Haifa Almukadi,1 Badrah S Alghamdi,6 Ahlam A Alahmadi,7 Nibal A Hassan,8 Nariman Sindi,9 Samar A Alghamdi,10 Hailah M Almohaimeed,11 Zuhair M Mohammedsaleh,12 Turki M Al-Shaikh,13 Mohammed S Almuhayawi,14 Soad S Ali,15 Manal El-Hamamsy16,171Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; 3Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 10Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 11Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 12Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 13Department of Biology, College of Science and Arts at Khulis, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 14Department of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; 15Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 16Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 17Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Nagla A El-ShitanyDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Al-Sheekh Kamal Street, Alsulimaniah, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 545923440Email [email protected] Background: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has recently received emergency approval from the US FDA. The mRNA technology was used to manufacture the Pfizer vaccine; however, as a pioneering technology that has never been used in the manufacture of vaccines, many people have concerns about the vaccine's side effects. Thus, the current study aimed to track the short-term side effects of the vaccine. Methods: The information in this study was gathered by a Google Form-questionnaire (online survey). The results included the responses of 455 individuals, all of whom are Saudi Arabia inhabitants. Adverse effects of the vaccine were reported after the first and the second doses. Results: The most common symptoms were injection site pain, headaches, flu-like symptoms, fever, and tiredness. Less common side effects were a fast heartbeat, whole body aches, difficulty breathing, joint pain, chills, and drowsiness. Rare side effects include Bell's palsy and lymph nodes swelling and tenderness. Flu-like symptoms were more common among those under 60 years of age, while injection site pain was more frequent among recipients who were 60 years and older. The study revealed a significant increase in the number of females who suffered from the vaccine side effects compared to males. Difficulty of breathing was more reported among recipients who had been previously infected with the coronavirus compared to those who had not been previously infected. Conclusion: Most of the side effects reported in this study were consistent with Pfizer's fact sheet for recipients and caregivers. Further studies are required to determine the long-term side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitology and Medical Entomology teachers have identified difficulties on teaching-learning processes and opportunities to elaborate new teaching materials. Thus, we had engaged in interdisciplinary efforts between Biology and Informatics to develop teaching materials in paper and in digital format, accessed through computer and internet: a virtual atlas to support practical classes; a virtual identification key to guide and support students during taxonomic identification; and an educational game to promote students' curiosity while they have fun. Grounded in Semiotic and Communication theory, we discuss aspects of some medias used in the production of teaching materials that influence their diffusion and knowledge access. In particular, we analyze what can be explored in the migration from paper to digital world (computer + internet). We conclude with reflections about our interdisciplinary collaboration, ways to appropriate the potential of digital technologies in education, and access problems to digital technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an eminent member of various prestigious organizations, please share your views and experiences in parasitology. Balantidium coli and other gastrointestinal parasites in captives non-human primates of the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to being active in different research in Parasitology, our group has a high interest in protozoa that can cause damage to the health of animals and humans as B. coli. In addition, she is a member of the Brazilian College of Veterinary Parasitology, a member of the Brazilian Parasitology Society and a member of the Animal Ethics Committee of Federal Fluminense University.She is currently working on research on the morphological, biological and phylogenetic characterization of protozoa and helminths gastrointestinal of domestic and wild artiodactyls such as pig with a focus on the Balantioides coli protozoan, as well as with parasites of non-human primates and equine. [Extracted from the article]

Interspecific associations among parasite species occur at the single host individual, population and community levels. The detection and understanding of multiparasitism are crucial to prevent and manage infectious diseases. In order to find out potential interspecific interactions among parasite species at a host population level, a cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2017 to July 2018 on schoolchildren aged from 4 to 15 years. Primary schools were randomly selected in the Nyong-et-Mfoumou Division. Stool samples and blood smears were analysed to detect parasitic forms of protozoa and helminths. Parasite interspecific associations were explored by ecological indices of association: Dice (D), Forbes (F) and tetrachoric coefficient (φ). The parasitological analysis revealed the presence of 13 parasite species belonging to 11 families, 9 orders, 7 classes and 5 phyla. A cooperation or positive association was found between Entamoeba coli and E. histolytica/dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichiuris trichiura, E. coli and Plasmodium falciparum, E. histolytica/dispar and P. falciparum, E. coli and A. lumbricoides, and E. coli and T. trichiura. The above pairs of parasites co-occurred together more frequently than expected by chance. The conflict or negative association was noticed between Giardia intestinalis and both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, and between A. lumbricoides and P. falciparum. The independence was found between G. intestinalis and both E. histolytica/dispar and E. coli, and between Mansonella perstans and Endolimax nana, G. intestinalis, E. coli and E. histolytica/dispar. Further studies are needed to identify the real interaction mechanisms between parasite species and to evaluate the consequences of multiparasitism for both parasite species and the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses rebuilding public health in poverty-stricken Venezuela. It mentions that the nonprofit organization Venezuelan Science Incubator (IVC) hopes to scale up Deworming Venezuela into a national program, which would require partnering with a major international organization such as World Health Organization. IVC has enlisted an army of citizen scientists to serve as disease sentinels, collecting basic epidemiological data and alerting IVC to outbreaks.

With the deepening reform of ideological and political education, Medical Parasitology teaching needs to update the teaching concept, change the teaching ideas, as well as keep trying to combine ideological and political education with the curriculum content closely. In addition to teaching students' basic knowledge and practical skills, teachers are needed to cultivate their moral literacy and political awareness through course teaching, so as to provide the basis for students' subsequent adaptations to social environments and jobs. Currently, the study of ideological and political education in Medical Parasitology teaching is still in the exploratory stage. Therefore, colleges and universities need to carry out effective construction of ideological and political education in Medical Parasitology teaching, in order to achieve good teaching outcomes and provide insights into ideological and political education in teaching.

Eukaryotic parasites represent a serious human health threat requiring health professionals with parasitology skills to counteract this threat. However, recent surveys highlight an erosion of teaching of parasitology in medical and veterinary schools, despite reports of increasing instances of food and waterborne parasitic infections. To address this we developed a web-based resource, DMU e-Parasitology®, to facilitate the teaching and learning of parasitology, comprising four sections: theoretical; virtual laboratory; virtual microscopy; virtual clinical case studies. Testing the package was performed using a questionnaire given to ninety-five Pharmacy students in 2017/18 to assess effectiveness of the package as a teaching and learning tool. 89.5% of students reported appropriate acquisition of knowledge of the pathology, prevention and treatment of some parasitic diseases. 82.1% also welcomed the clinical specialism of the package as it helped them to acquire basic diagnostic skills, through learning infective features/morphology of the parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infective stage of Anisakidae nematodes responsible for allergic reactions in humans is found in a variety of edible fish and cephalopods. The identification of geographical regions that are high risk for infected seafood may help prevent allergic reactions in humans. Despite an abundance of published literature which has identified anisakid larvae in an array of edible seafood as well as scattered reports of human allergic anisakiasis, the relationship between the two has not been fully explored. Therefore, a systematic spatio-temporal study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Anisakis spp. in fish from January 2000 to August 2020 firstly to explore the relationship between fish infection and cases of allergic anisakiasis and secondly to use fish infection data to map potential allergic anisakiasis 'hot spots'. A systematic literature search for original English text articles was conducted through search engines, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Out of 3228 articles which describe anisakid infection in fish, 264 were used for data extraction. Of 904 articles describing allergic anisakiasis, 37 were used for data extraction. A qualitative summary of the extracted data was performed using equal interval method (ArcMap software) in order to compare the global distribution of Anisakis-infected fish. Of the 152-identified fish hosts, five families were most commonly infected with Anisakis spp. These included Lophiidae (86.9%), Trichiuridae (77.05%), Zeidae (70.9%), Merlucciidae (67.8%) and Gadidae (56.8%). The hot spot areas for allergic anisakiasis were North and northeast of Atlantic Ocean, southwest of USA, west of Mexico, south of Chile, east of Argentina, Norway, UK and west of Iceland (confidence 99%). The highest rate of allergic anisakiasis was in Portugal and Norway with the prevalence rate of 18.45–22.50%. Allergologists should consider allergic anisakiasis as a public health issue particularly in high-risk countries where high prevalences in fish have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]