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Abstract Backgrounds Toxoplasmosis, a prevalent parasitic infection, is primarily caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). This infection poses a significant threat to neonates during pregnancy and individuals with compromised immune systems. Consequently, it is imperative to develop a novel diagnostic approach that combines high sensitivity with low-risk sampling to effectively manage patients. The aim of this study is to utilize serological and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in 100 pregnant women who were under the care of a gynecologist and were candidates for amniocentesis. Methods During the 15-19th weeks of pregnancy, a total of 100 samples each of amniotic fluid, buffy coat, plasma, and urine simultaneously were collected from pregnant women candidates for amniocentesis in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. This study involved various assessments: (1) detecting anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG in plasma through chemiluminescence assay (2) determining IgG avidity in plasma using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique (3) identifying of T. gondii DNA in amniotic fluid, buffy coat and urine by nested PCR (nPCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) methods targeting the REP-529 gene, as well as genotyping using GRA6 target genes, and (4) assessing the sensitivity and specificity of the nPCR and qPCR tests. Results Out of 100 pregnant women screened, 70 were between the ages of 31 to 40 years old. Among them, 23 and 44 had one and two previous pregnancies. Additionally, 13 and 8 women had one and two history of abortions, respectively. Following serologic testing, 52% of the individuals were positive for T. gondii antibodies. Of these, 52 samples were positive for IgG antibodies, and one sample was positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Notably, all 52 cases with IgG positivity exhibited a high level of IgG avidity. Regarding the molecular testing of amniotic fluid samples, two pregnant women tested positive in the nPCR assay, while three tested positive in the qPCR assay. Furthermore, genotyping revealed that all positive samples belonged to type I of the T. gondii genotype. Moreover, none of the 100 buffy coat and urine samples tested positive for T. gondii using the nPCR and qPCR techniques. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that serological methods alone may not be reliable in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis and cannot rule out the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and must be approved by molecular tests.

Background and purpose: Lophomoniasis is a relatively common emerging parasitic disease caused by a pathogenic protozoan called Lophomonas, which mostly affects the lower respiratory tract (lungs and bronchi) of humans. The parasite lives symbiotically in the digestive system of insects such as cockroaches and mites. Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that has two forms of trophozoite and cyst in its life cycle. The respiratory system and airways serve as passage and deployment sites for a wide range of non-pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms, making it a suitable place for the entry and spread of different species of Acanthamoeba amoeba and the Lophomonas pathogen in the respiratory system, which can cause clinical manifestations similar to tuberculosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the frequency of these two parasites in sputum clinical samples from suspected tuberculosis patients referred to the tuberculosis laboratory in Babolsar City to rule out the two mentioned infections. Materials and methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 201 sputum samples of people suspected of tuberculosis who were referred to the tuberculosis laboratory of Babolsar Health Center in Mazandaran province in 202-2023, and all the demographic and epidemiological information of the patients was recorded. In the morphological method, Giemsa staining was used for Lophomonas and Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Acanthamoeba. To identify the presence of Acanthamoeba, sputum samples were cultured in a 1.5% non-nutrient agar culture medium for 72 to 96 hours. Approximately 50 microliters of patients' sputum were added to the NNA medium, along with 20 microliters of trypticase-yeast extract and maltose (TYM) culture medium, and 20 microliters of an autoclaved Escherichia coli bacteria mixture to enrich the culture medium. The cultured plates were then placed in an incubator at 26ºC and checked daily under a light microscope for trophozoite growth. To accurately confirm the presence of parasites, DNA extraction was performed on the patient's sputum samples using the phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol method. Subsequently, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted using specific primers on the extracted DNA samples. Results: In the study of 201 people suspected of tuberculosis, it was found that 80 individuals (39.8%) lived in urban areas and 121 individuals (60.2%) lived in rural areas. The age range of participants varied from 7 to 88 years old. There were 113 females (56.2%) and 88 males (43.8%) in the study, with 12 individuals from Afghanistan living in urban areas. Out of the 201 sputum samples examined, a total of 23 samples (11.4%) tested positive for the Lophomonas parasite using the PCR method. Among these positive cases, 7 individuals (30.4%) resided in urban areas (Babolsar), while 16 individuals (69.5%) lived in rural areas. However, none of the samples tested positive for Acanthamoeba in this study using staining and PCR methods. Conclusion: The present study showed that due to the similarity of the clinical manifestations of tuberculosis and lophomoniasis, there is a possibility of mistaking these two diseases clinically. Therefore, it is recommended to check fresh sputum samples of people suspected of tuberculosis, especially in endemic areas, in terms of pulmonary lophomoniasis.

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis, an illness caused by protozoa, accounts for a substantial number of human fatalities globally, thereby emerging as one of the most fatal parasitic diseases. The conventional methods employed for detecting the Leishmania parasite through microscopy are not only time-consuming but also susceptible to errors. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to develop a model based on deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, that could facilitate automated diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Methods In this research, we introduce LeishFuNet, a deep learning framework designed for detecting Leishmania parasites in microscopic images. To enhance the performance of our model through same-domain transfer learning, we initially train four distinct models: VGG19, ResNet50, MobileNetV2, and DenseNet 169 on a dataset related to another infectious disease, COVID-19. These trained models are then utilized as new pre-trained models and fine-tuned on a set of 292 self-collected high-resolution microscopic images, consisting of 138 positive cases and 154 negative cases. The final prediction is generated through the fusion of information analyzed by these pre-trained models. Grad-CAM, an explainable artificial intelligence technique, is implemented to demonstrate the model’s interpretability. Results The final results of utilizing our model for detecting amastigotes in microscopic images are as follows: accuracy of 98.95 1.4%, specificity of 98 2.67%, sensitivity of 100%, precision of 97.91 2.77%, F1-score of 98.92 1.43%, and Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve of 99 1.33. Conclusion The newly devised system is precise, swift, user-friendly, and economical, thus indicating the potential of deep learning as a substitute for the prevailing leishmanial diagnostic techniques.

Leishmaniasis, caused by intracellular protozoa of the Leishmania genus, continues to be a global health issue, with approximately 700,000 to 1 million new cases occur annually worldwide. The disease is transmitted via the bite of infected female sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus, resulting in a range of symptoms known as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. The species Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis, discovered in 1995, has been linked to cases in individuals with HIV, presenting with diverse clinical pictures. Interestingly, biting midges, not sandflies, has proved to serve as its potentially biological vector. This study focuses on understanding the transmission, clinical aspects, and effective treatment of L. martiniquensis infections.A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant published papers on the epidemiology, transmission, clinical characteristics, and treatment of L. martiniquensis up to August 2024. The clinical manifestations encompass localized cutaneous leishmaniasis, disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is associated with comorbidities such as inadequate nutrition, population displacement, and reduced immunity. Risk factors for Leishmania infection include the presence of domestic animals, age, gender, and environmental factors. Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB) is the main treatment. Combination therapy with allicin and andrographolide may reduce AmB side effects. Recent research investigates other treatments including 8-hydroxyquinoline, which works synergistically with AmB against L. martiniquensis.

Abstract Background Lophomonas blattarum is an emerging protozoan that mostly infects the lower respiratory tract and causes pulmonary lophomoniasis. Radiologic findings in patients with pulmonary lophomoniasis have yet to be studied. Thus, we conducted a registry-based clinical investigation to evaluate the radiologic findings of lophomoniasis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 34 Lophomonas positive patients were enrolled. Demographic data, relevant characteristics, and radiologic findings of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Results Thirty-four (male = 18, female = 16) patients with an average age of 52.21 ± 20.48 years old were examined. Radiological findings such as Alveolar consolidation (26.5%), Ground glass opacity (5.9%), Centrilobular nodules (23.5%), Tree -in- bud (38.2%), Cavitation (23.5%), Pleural effusion (23.5%), Interstitial opacity (8.8%), Lymphadenopathy (23.5%), Bronchocele (5.9%), Bronchiectasis (29.4%), Nodules (8.8%) and Mass (11.8%) were obtained, that the frequency of all radiological findings was less than 50%. Conclusion In this study, the most common radiological findings in patients with lophomoniasis were tree-in-bud nodules, alveolar consolidation, bronchiectasis, and centrilobular nodules which were mostly seen in the right lung and its middle and lower lobes. Given that the radiologic findings of this disease are unknown, it can be considered in differential diagnosis.

Abstract COVID-19 is a highly communicable respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which has had a significant impact on global public health and the economy. Detecting COVID-19 patients during a pandemic with limited medical facilities can be challenging, resulting in errors and further complications. Therefore, this study aims to develop deep learning models to facilitate automated diagnosis of COVID-19 from CT scan records of patients. The study also introduced COVID-MAH-CT, a new dataset that contains 4442 CT scan images from 133 COVID-19 patients, as well as 133 CT scan 3D volumes. We proposed and evaluated six different transfer learning models for slide-level analysis that are responsible for detecting COVID-19 in multi-slice spiral CT. Additionally, multi-head attention squeeze and excitation residual (MASERes) neural network, a novel 3D deep model was developed for patient-level analysis, which analyzes all the CT slides of a given patient as a whole and can accurately diagnose COVID-19. The codes and dataset developed in this study are available at https://github.com/alrzsdgh/COVID . The proposed transfer learning models for slide-level analysis were able to detect COVID-19 CT slides with an accuracy of more than 99%, while MASERes was able to detect COVID-19 patients from 3D CT volumes with an accuracy of 100%. These achievements demonstrate that the proposed models in this study can be useful for automatically detecting COVID-19 in both slide-level and patient-level from patients’ CT scan records, and can be applied for real-world utilization, particularly in diagnosing COVID-19 cases in areas with limited medical facilities.

Leishmaniasis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and poses a threat to public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of leishmaniasis cases worldwide is estimated at 12 million, and the number of people at risk is 350 million. However, leishmaniasis therapies have their limitations, and today nanoparticle delivery systems such as liposomes are used. Liposomes are bilayered structures made of phospholipids and cholesterol, which contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic components in their structure and enable the uptake of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or amphiphilic compounds. Since the leishmaniasis parasite is predominantly found in macrophages, drug delivery systems improve the therapeutic index of anti-leishmaniasis drugs and reduce the effective dose and toxic off-target effects of non-specific biodistribution. Targeted liposomal drug delivery systems are achieved by utilizing their different structural features such as particle size and surface charge and attaching other ligands to the surface of liposomes for targeted drug delivery. Today, sugar-coated liposomes, cationic liposomes, arsenoliposomes and peptide-targeted liposomes are used to deliver traditional anti-leishmaniasis drugs to Leishmania, and due to the importance of nanoliposomes and their many benefits, research continues in this field.

Key Clinical Message Here we present a case of a 4‐year‐old girl who suffered from vulvovaginitis caused by Enterobius vermicularis. All members of her family were also infected by this helminth. Treatment with mebendazole was administered to all family members and it was found that the entire family had been cured. Abstract Vulvovaginitis, an inflammation of the vulvovaginal mucous membranes, is a common reason for pediatric gynecology consultations. One of the causes of this condition is a parasitic worm known as Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis). In girls, adult worms can infiltrate the vagina and release eggs, leading to the development of vulvovaginitis. Furthermore, these worms have the ability to invade the endometrial cavity too. Here we present a case of a 4‐year‐old girl who suffered from vulvovaginitis caused by E. vermicularis. All members of her family were also infected by this parasitic helminth. In the vaginal sample, apart from the eggs, the female adult worm was observed under the microscope. Treatment with mebendazole was administered to all family members, and their progress was followed for a period of 3 weeks, during which it was found that the entire family had been cured. This patient experienced significant improvement in symptoms related to severe anxiety, nervousness, vaginal inflammation, itching, and vulvovaginitis caused by E. vermicularis. To prevent infection by E. vermicularis, it is crucial to disinfect underwear and bed sheets. In kindergartens, the spread of this parasite should not be underestimated, and asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to infected persons should receive treatment to prevent an epidemic. Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, especially after using the toilet, is of the most importance, particularly for girls who are more susceptible to E. vermicularis infection. Additionally, it is essential for all family members to be aware of the transmission routes of this parasite.

Abstract Background Trichobilharzia regenti (T. regenti) is an avian schistosomatid fluke species that causes human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) in areas of aquaculture in northern Iran. Understanding the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of this thread‐like fluke will deepen our thoughtful of avian schistosomiasis epidemiology and lead to more effective HCD control in the region. Objectives To determine the life cycle of nasal Trichobilharzia in aquatic birds as well as aquatic snails and also identify the haplotype diversity of the isolates in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Methods In the present study, adult or egg of Trichobilharzia isolated from aquatic birds as well as schistosomes cercariae isolated from aquatic snails in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, belonged to the authors' previous research, were examined. Molecular studies and phylogenetic analysis were carried out on these schistosomes samples. Results The phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1 and COX1 genes in isolated schistosomes revealed that all samples belong to the T. regenti clade. Remarkably, based on phylogenetic results, these schistosomes samples from Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, A. platyrhynchos, Spatula clypeata and Lymnaea stagnalis grouped together with previously sequenced samples from Iran (Trichobilharzia cf. regenti). Unlike the phylogenetic tree and haplotype network of COX1 gene, ITS1 did not show distinct clusters. Conclusion This study completed the puzzle of the disease in Mazandaran Province by isolating and genotyping furkocercariae from L. stagnalis that was consistent with the isolated new genotype from ducks. For the first time in Iran, this confirmed the potential role of L. stagnalis snails in the transmission of the disease.

In this case report, we address the diagnostic challenges and clinical implications of severe infection with Lophomonas blattarum in a patient initially suspected of experiencing long COVID symptoms. We describe the patient's medical history, initial symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment. A female patient with diabetes in her early 60s presented with severe shortness of breath and was initially diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). After resolution of her DKA symptoms, persistent respiratory issues led to a COVID-19 test, which was negative. A chest computed tomography scan revealed abnormalities, prompting bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, which confirmed the presence of L. blattarum . Notably, the protozoan remained mobile and viable even after a 4-day transport at ambient temperature. This case emphasizes the importance of considering alternative diagnoses and improving awareness about L. blattarum infection in patients with respiratory symptoms, for timely and accurate management.

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a chronic and rare form of leishmaniasis that causes malignant lesions in the mucosa of the nasal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal regions. We describe a 29-year-old woman who had been suffering from an intranasal polyp for 3 years. The polyp recurred annually after surgical removal, and was diagnosed as nasal leishmaniasis.

Abstract Trichobezoars are hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract that usually develop due to the consumption of hair after pulling it. However, some rare case reports suggest that trichobezoar can also occur in the respiratory system. In this context, we present an unusual case of a 25‐year‐old woman who experienced dyspnea, productive cough, and leukocytosis. The patient was found to have a trichobezoar in her respiratory tract, accompanied by the presence of hair in her digestive tract.

Abstract Background In recent years, cases of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) have been reported in some districts of Golestan Province, northeastern Iran, particularly in rural areas. Recent epidemiological evidence in Leishmania infantum endemic regions of in Iran indicates approximately 50%–80% of seropositive dogs are asymptomatic for Leishmania infection. Objectives The goal in this study was to determine Leishmania species infecting domestic dogs in Golestan Province, Iran. Methods Between 2015 and 2016, blood samples were obtained from 100 domestic dogs in rural regions of Golestan Province, northeastern Iran. All samples were tested for anti‐Leishmania antibodies using a direct agglutination test (DAT), and for Leishmania spp. kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) using PCR. Results Seven (7%) dogs were antibody positive and 25 dogs (25%) were Leishmania spp. DNA positives by PCR positive for leishmaniasis. Four of the seven (71%) antibody‐positive dogs and 19 of the 25 (76%) PCR‐positive dogs were asymptomatic. The rate of infection detected by PCR was significantly higher in male dogs (21/75, 28%) than that in female dogs (4/25, 16%). The ITS1 PCR‐RFLP assay identified the presence of L. infantum, L. tropica or Crithidia spp. in the 25 PCR‐positive samples. Conclusions The high proportion of asymptomatic dogs in the study areas represent they act as potential reservoirs in the transmission cycle of Leishmania spp. and also Crithidia fasciculata as an emerging agent for the first time. Moreover, our data showed that PCR is a more reliable assay than DAT for detecting Leishmania spp. infection among asymptomatic dogs.

Background: Human cystic echinococcosis, as an emerging neglected parasitic disease, is caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus spp. Because of the medical and economic importance, this study aims to review the epidemiology and clinical features of hydatidosis in patients admitted to medical and surgical wards in three referral teaching hospitals over 15 years in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Methods: Data were collected from hospital records that were accessible via the hospital information system (HIS) between 2005 and 2019 (15 years).The demographic information (age, sex, living area, and occupation), dog contact, number of the cysts, types of organs involved, and history of disease recurrence were assessed. Results: One hundred twenty-one patients with human cystic echinococcosis (CE) were involved in the study, from whom 58 patients (47.93%) were male and 63 (52.07%) were female. The majority of patients were rural residents (64.46%) and also housewife (28.10%). Based on the results, only about 16.53% of the patients had history of close contacts with dogs. The liver was the organ involved in the most cases of CE. There were statistically significant differences between residence, occupation, history of close contacts with dogs, type of organs involved, number of cysts and history of disease recurrence (P

Currently, parasitic infections are one of the important health problems in the world, especially in developing countries. This study aims to investigate intestinal parasites with an emphasis on molecular identification through the analysis of mitochondrial COX1 and ITS2 gene sequences of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) and Trichostrongylus spp. in north of Iran. Five hundred forty stool samples were collected from medical diagnostic laboratories affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Sari city, north of Iran. First, all the samples were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, and trichrome staining technique. Suspected samples of Strongyloides larvae were cultured in agar plate. Then, DNA was extracted from samples containing Trichostrongylus spp. eggs and Strongyloides larvae. To amplify DNA, PCR was performed and the samples with a sharp band in electrophoresis were sequenced by Sanger method. Overall, the prevalence of parasitic infections in the study population was 5.4%. The highest and the lowest level of infection was observed with Trichostrongylus spp. and S. stercoralis at 3% and 0.2%, respectively. No traces of live Strongyloides larvae were seen in the culture medium of the agar plate. The six isolates obtained from the amplification of the ITS2 gene of Trichostrongylus spp. were sequenced, all of which were Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The sequencing results of COX1 gene indicated S. stercoralis. In the present study, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in north of Iran has relatively decreased that its main reason can be due to the coronavirus epidemic and compliance with health principles. However, the prevalence of Trichostrongylus parasite was relatively high that it requires special attention to apply appropriate control and treatment strategies in this field.

Background and Aim: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an important health problem in Iran and one of the world ̛s neglected diseases which is caused by Leishmania spp. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis and its associated risk factors in an endemic center in Golestan Province. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included patients with suspected CL who had been referring to the health centers of Gonbad–e Qabus town, between 2018 and 2020. Demographic and epidemiological data of CL patients were recorded and diagnosis of Leishmania spp. was made by Giemsa staining of direct smear. PCR was also used to determine and confirm the parasite species. Results: From 1979 suspected CL lesions, 1704(87.4%) had positive smears. 898 (52.7%) patients were male and 806 (47.3%) were female. The highest incidence rate was observed in the patients of less than 5 (25.93%) and those between 25 and 45 years of age (25.41%). In all samples in this study, Leishmania major was the only Leishmania spp detected by ITS-PCR. Also, Critidia fasciulata was identified in three patients. Conclusion: The study provided valuable data concerning the epidemiologic aspects of the CL in an old endemic focus in north of Iran, which can be used as the basis for planning future control strategies.

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Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Low efficacy and high cytotoxicity of the current treatment regimens for leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems. In this experimental study, anti-leishmanial effects of different concentrations of resveratrol and resveratrol nano-emulsion (RNE) were assessed. Methods RNE was prepared using the probe ultra-sonication method. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT technique on the L929 cell line. The anti-leishmanial activities on promastigotes of leishmania were assessed using vital staining and infected BALB/c mice were used to assess the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects. Results In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that all concentrations of resveratrol and RNE had valuable inhibitory effects against Leishmania major in comparison to the control group (P

Introduction. Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis (BPL) is a protozoan pulmonary disease that has been reported sporadically, but its incidence has been increasing. However, the epidemiology and risk factors of the disease have not been clearly identified. The current study aims to identify BPL cases molecularly and assess the demographic and some environmental factors for the first time on the prevalence of BPL as a national registry-based study in Iran. Methodology. The study tested 960 patients with lower respiratory tract symptoms whose bronchoalveolar lavage samples were submitted from seven provinces of Iran to the Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis. They were tested for BPL by a newly developed polymerase chain reaction test. The study assessed the association of Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), digital elevation model (DEM), and geographic latitude as environmental factors and sex and age as demographic factors on the prevalence of BPL. Geospatial information systems methods and chi-squared and Pearson’s correlation tests were used for the assessment of geographical and environmental factor effects and statistical analysis, respectively. Results. Of the 960 patients, 218 (22.7%) tested positive for BPL; the highest and lowest prevalence rates were reported from the south and northeast of Iran, respectively. The study found a correlation between geographic latitude and age with BPL prevalence, but no association was found for gender, NDVI, or DEM. Most patients were over 40 years old, and the rate of disease was higher in southern latitudes. Conclusion. Age and geographical latitude were found to be risk factors for BPL. More exposure to dust and/or chronic pulmonary problems may explain the higher prevalence of the disease in older adults. Higher rates of BPL in lower latitudes may be due to warmer weather and longer days, which can confine individual activities indoors and result in more contact with domestic insects and infected dust.

Abstract We report a 52‐year‐old patient with a history of breast cancer (BC) referred to the clinic of Afzalipour Hospital, in Kerman, eastern Iran, with a 1‐week complaint of restless dyspnea. A chest computed tomography scan revealed consolidations in the upper lobes of both lungs. The patient had no history of smoking or underlying diseases that would predispose her to consolidation, including pneumonia. Then, bronchoscopy was performed for the patient, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was sent to the Iranian National Registry Center, where the Lophomonas parasite was detected in the sample and confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction test. Finally, her symptoms improved by receiving oral metronidazole three times a day for 3 weeks.

Background and purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans and other vertebrates worldwide. This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and associated risk factors in individuals attending a Reference Laboratory in Gorgan, Iran. Moreover, recent studies in Golestan province were reviewed. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 551 blood samples obtained from February-June 2017. Serum samples were isolated and examined for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii using ELISA. Data were analyzed in SPSS applying logistic regression. Results: Total prevalence of T. gondii was 63.5% (350 out of 551). Among the samples, 306 (55.5%), 12 (2.17%), and 32 (5.8%) were found to be positive for IgG, IgM and both IgG and IgM against T. gondii, respectively. There were significant associations between T. gondii infection and age and soil contact (P< 0.05). However, no significant correlation was observed between T. gondii infection and sex, living area, level of education, occupation, etc (P>0.05). Conclusion: About two thirds of individuals were infected with T. gondii. Accordingly, a high number of subjects have been exposed to T. gondii in this area, which their seropositivity was seen to increase by age as a risk factor. High seropositivity indicates appropriate conditions for the life cycle of the parasite in this province. Therefore, preventive measurements at the community level, particularly in high-risk groups, are warranted.

Abstract The majority of rectal foreign bodies inserted by adults are for self‐gratification. As a result, they will probably be smooth, rounded, tubular, or egg‐shaped to make insertion and extraction easier. Herein, we describe a 50‐year‐old man who inserts a water bottle into a region 10 mm from the anorectal junction.

Background and objectives: Cryptosporidium spp. is a major cause of gastrointestinal illness in humans. There are no data available on geospatial distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the spatial patterns and demographic factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the Mazandaran Province, North of Iran. Methods: Fecal specimens were collected from diarrheic individuals (n=215) who were referred to health centers in the Mazandaran Province during 2014-2015. The specimens were examined for presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining. Results: Cities of Sari, Neka, Noshahr and Behshahr were identified as disease hotspots. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in subjects under 10 years of age as well as those living in low-altitude areas and rural areas without access to standard water sources. Conclusion: Our findings and the GIS-derived data could be used to facilitate cryptosporidiosis surveillance and monitoring of Cryptosporidium spp. distribution in the study area.

Objective: Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus that circulates within many species of the Leishmania parasite. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of LRV2 circulating in Leishmania isolates in an old focus of ZCL located in northeastern of Iran. Methods: Leishmania isolates were collected from 85 patients that confirmed to have cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) based on parasitological examination. To identify the Leishmania isolates, species-specific primer sets were applied for molecular identification. The presence of LRV2 was performed by RdRp-semi nested-PCR. The genetic diversity were calculated using MEGA and DnaSP. To assess haplotype diversity, 31 LRV2 strains in different regions were surveyed using analysis a 292-bp section of the RdRp sequences. Results: Out of 85 patients, 83 (97.6 %) were diagnosed with L. major and 2 (2.4 %) with L. tropica. LRV2 virus was detected in 59 (69.4%) of the CL cases. For the first time, LRV2 was reported in one L. tropica strain in Iran. The current LRV2 sequences indicated the highest similarities to an Old World LRV2. Moreover, 10 unique haplotypes were identified based on the analyzed sequences of the RdRp gene. Conclusions: Our results indicated the highest occurrence of Leishmania/LRV2 co-circulation in this known ZCL focus from northeastern Iran. Phylogenetic analyses of LRV2 sequences confirmed that these isolates belong to the order of LRV2 from the Old World. This study offered an insight into LRV2 haplotype that the informative issue can be used for genetic research of LRV2 in other regions.

Abstract A prospective study was conducted from 2017 to 2021 at Bouali Hospital in Mazandaran province, Sari, Iran. Out of 58 patients who were enrolled in our study, lophomoniasis was diagnosed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of nine patients, for the first time, using an in‐house polymerase chain reaction technique. All patients were treated with metronidazole at 7.5 mg/kg/day every 12 h for 14 days. After 6 months of follow‐up, symptoms were fully resolved.

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disorder that involves the skin and many other organs, such as the heart, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Cardiac involvement is in the form of pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary hypertension. Several complications and super infections post-COVID-19 have been reported, such as fungal, bacterial infections, and Lophomonas blattarum . Lophomoniasis is an emerging pulmonary infection that mainly involves the lower respiratory tract. Herein, we present an ectopic Lophomonas infection in an unusual location (pericardial effusion) in a COVID-19 patient who had systemic sclerosis.

Abstract Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most common forms of leishmaniasis in Afghanistan, which is caused by different Leishmania species that are transmitted to humans by sandflies. Its clinical manifestations are very diverse and depend on a variety of parasite and host factors.

Abstract Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that can affect a variety of organs, one of which being the respiratory system. The most common form of infection with mucormycetes is pulmonary mucormycosis, which has a poor prognosis if infected. The clinical signs and radiological findings of this infection are non‐specific and very similar to lung tumours. Here, we describe a 62‐year‐old obese man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who was referred for a tumour‐like mass in the left lung, which after bronchoscopy was diagnosed as mucormycosis.

Abstract In this article, we report a patient referred to the clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Mazandaran, northern Iran, with a 3‐month complaint of chronic cough and weight loss. According to the chest computed tomography scan, a cavity was detected in the upper lobe of the patient's left lung. The patient had no history of smoking or underlying diseases that predisposed him to cavitation, including tuberculosis. Then, bronchoscopy was performed for the patient, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was sent to the Iranian National Registry Center for lophomoniasis, and Lophomonas blattarum was detected in samples. Finally, the patient's symptoms were totally resolved by prescribing third‐daily metronidazole for 2 weeks.

Abstract Mucormycosis is a rare, invasive, quickly progressing fungal infection that generally affects patients who are immunocompromised. If left untreated, the disease is characterized by progressive necrosis and is often fatal. We present two cases of post‐COVID‐19 mucormycosis with a history of several years of uncontrolled diabetic mellitus.

Abstract Lophomonas is a neglected and emerging protozoan that infects the lower and upper respiratory tracts of humans. Here, we present two cases of lophomoniasis from Afghanistan that include symptoms such as fever, cough, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion.

Background and objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is estimated that around 3.5 billion people are infected with intestinal parasites. Human intestinal parasites (HIP) are clinically important due to broad epidemiological distribution, reinfection and drug resistance. In the last decades, bioactive compounds from herbs were used against a wide variety of microorganisms including parasites. We aimed to perform a systematic review on studies on the effects of medicinal herbs on HIPs in Iran. Methods: Relevant scientific publications until April, 2015 were extracted from five English databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Science Direct and Scopus) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex and the Scientific Information Database). Results: A total of 18 papers and two dissertations met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 22 different plant extracts were used against Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium and Hymenolepis nana. Based on the results, the extracts could exert time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effects against the tested HIPs. Five plants types including Allium, Chenopodium botrys, Carum copticum, F. asafoetida and Artemisia annua were able to completely inhibit the tested parasites, while Thymus vulgaris and A. paradoxum showed the lowest inhibitory effect (7%). Conclusions: Given the findings, it is recommended to conduct in vivo studies on medicinal herbs with favorable in vitro effects against HIPs.

There is a high prevalence of infections caused by Leishmania parasites and increasing rate of drug resistance. Lack of successful treatment with existing drugs calls for new therapeutic approaches. The main strategy in treatment of leishmaniasis is creating apoptosis and eliminating different forms of the parasite. So far, numerous drugs with specific mechanisms including 14-α-demethylase enzyme inhibition, inhibition of tubulin polymerization and cell division, radical formation, inhibiting the glycolytic and hydrolysis of fatty acids, and reducing the parasite's access to energy reserves such as ATP have been introduced. Moreover, different mineral compounds especially iron are needed for metabolism and survival of the parasite. This review article introduces iron-chelating compounds as a new therapeutic approach in treatment of leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by various species of the genus Leishmania, (trypanosomatidae family) that is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. The disease can present in a range of clinical forms, including dermal lesions, metastasis mucocutaneous forms, and fatal visceral forms. In this non-systematic review, we aimed at introducing the role of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and dependent topoisomerases (TPI) as potential chemotherapeutic targets for treatment of leishmaniasis. The Leishmania parasite has a mitochondrial DNA located in the attached circles. KDNA replication process is very complex and a large number of proteins are involved. Some of them are classified as topoisomerases, which play major biological roles in the effective cell processes in the topology, synthesis, and organization of kDNA and constitute the main drug target in kinetoplast for leishmaniasis cure. Several studies have shown that the inhibitors of TPI exchange these enzymes into intracellular cell toxins and provide an appropriate tool for killing the parasite in the host. DNA binding drugs have also been reported as therapeutic agents against leishmanial infections.

Abstract Immunocompromised patients are frequently more susceptible to pathogens such as protozoa. For the first time, we report a case of pulmonary lophomoniasis in a known case of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML‐2) from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, southern Iran. Diagnosis of lophomoniasis was confirmed using microscopy and molecular examinations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. She was completely treated with metronidazole (500 mg three times a day for 3 weeks). We conclude that immunocompromised patients with unjustified respiratory disorders should be screened for Lophomonas infection.

Abstract Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. To date, the genotype of multivesicular CE has not been identified. In this regard, the genotyping of multivesicular types of CE could help clinicians understand and manage the disease effectively.

Abstract Loss of consciousness (LOC) is one of the most common causes of emergency department (ED) visits. It may be due to intoxication or hypoglycemia. We present a 15‐year‐old girl who was referred with heavy head lice and LOC to the ED in the north of Iran.

Abstract Rhino‐orbito‐cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a progressive and life‐threatening disease that is caused by a fungal infection. Every uncontrolled diabetic patient with a skin lesion on their head and neck, sinusitis symptoms, headache, and orbital edema should be evaluated for mucormycosis.

Abstract We report a case of lophomoniasis in a kidney post‐transplantation patient. The patient, 46‐year‐old man, had pneumonia, acute sinusitis, and tonsillitis on admission. We recommend that lophomoniasis should be essentially ruled out in all patients suffering from post‐transplantation infection, particularly in those who do not respond to routine antibiotic regimens.

Objectives. Lophomonas infection is a respiratory disease in humans that is associated with symptoms of cough, sputum, dyspnea, and sometimes hemoptysis, which shows the importance of differentiating this disease from tuberculosis and asthma. Methods. This study was performed on 216 participants suspected of having tuberculosis who had symptoms of fever, chronic cough, or sputum and were referred to tuberculosis laboratories in three cities in Golestan Province, northeastern Iran, during 2019-2020. A sputum sample was taken from the suspected patients. DNA was extracted from the frozen samples, and an in-house polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the Lophomonas DNA. Results. Out of 216 subjects, 47 (21.75%) were infected with Lophomonas spp. Moreover, 9 patients (4.2%) were infected with tuberculosis. Also, 2 patients had a comorbidity of tuberculosis and Lophomonas infection P=0.63. There was no significant difference in the comparison of symptoms and the rate of Lophomonas infection P=0.84, but in the comparison of the set of symptoms of cough, sputum, and fever with those of cough and sputum, cough with fever, sputum with fever, and the rate of Lophomonas infection, there was a significant difference P=0.012. Conclusions. Lophomonas infection was relatively high in patients suspected of having tuberculosis and due to the similar clinical symptoms of Lophomonas infection and tuberculosis; it is recommended that the sputum samples of subjects suspected of having tuberculosis be examined for this parasite in order to make a correct diagnosis and the patients receive timely treatment and the appropriate medication.

Background. Lophomonas blattarum is an emerging protozoan agent that mainly infects the lower respiratory system, causing pulmonary lophomoniasis. The bronchoscopic findings in patients with pulmonary lophomoniasis have not been investigated yet. Accordingly, we assess the bronchoscopic findings of lophomoniasis in patients suffering from pulmonary lophomoniasis through a registry-based clinical study. Methods. In this retrospective study, of 480 patient candidates for bronchoscopy, 50 Lophomonas-positive patients were enrolled. Demographic data, relevant characteristics, and bronchoscopy findings of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Results. Overall, 50 (male = 32, female = 18) patients with an average age of 61.8 ± 13.3 years were examined. Nineteen patients (38%) had normal bronchoscopic findings, and 31 patients (62%) had abnormal bronchoscopic findings. According to the severity index, most (52%) of patients had mild severity, followed by moderate (30%) and severe (18%) cases. The highest involvement was in the right lung bronchus (46%), and the lowest was in the carina (8%). Furthermore, purulent and mucosal secretions in the right and left lung bronchus were the most abnormalities found in different anatomical locations. Conclusion. For the first time, the current study demonstrated that pulmonary lophomoniasis does not have pathognomonic bronchoscopic findings. However, each suspected patient must be checked for lophomoniasis, even with normal bronchoscopic findings, particularly in endemic areas.

Objectives. Lophomonas protozoan is an emerging pathogen transmitted through arthropods such as cockroaches. Lophomoniasis is still a mysterious disease with many unknown epidemiological aspects. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of lophomoniasis among patients who were hospitalized in Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, southwestern Iran, using a conventional PCR technique. Methods. In this retrospective study, 132 frozen bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens from patients with respiratory disorders hospitalized in Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord district, southwestern Iran, were analyzed during 2020-2021. Samples are referred to the Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis (INRCL), Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran, for detecting Lophomonas spp. infection by a conventionally small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) PCR test. Results. A total of 132 frozen BALF specimens were examined, 36 (27.3%) tested Lophomonas spp. positive using the conventional PCR technique. Also, based on sequencing data and blast analysis, the presence of L. blattarum species was confirmed. The average age of Lophomonas spp.‐ positive patients was 67.02 ± 15.14 years. Out of the 36 positive subjects, 63.9% were male and 36.1% female. Male and Lophomonas infection had a significant correlation (p=0.001). Our findings revealed that L. blattarum infected nonsmokers more than smokers (p=0.001). The most common underlying disease was also bronchitis Conclusion. Our results showed, for the first time, that pulmonary lophomoniasis caused by L. blattarum is a common and emerging disease in the study area, southwestern Iran. Furthermore, our findings support the use of the PCR test to detect Lophomonas infection in archived frozen clinical samples.

Background. Male urethritis is one of the most common genital tract syndromes. Though the number of patients with urethritis is increasing worldwide, the cause of many cases of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is still unknown. Objectives. This study aimed to delineate the association between Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infection and male urethritis. Methods. The literature was searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the search terms “urethritis,” “Trichomonas vaginalis,” “trichomoniasis,” and “male urethritis” up to February 2020. Overall risk difference(RD) was applied to assess the relationship between T. vaginalis infection and male urethritis. Results. In total, seven articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis study. Our meta-analysis involved the review of case-control studies, including 2,242 urethritis cases and 929 individuals as controls. Among subjects examined for trichomoniasis, in the case group, 211 males were infected, and in the control group, 32 individuals were infected. The overall risk difference (RD) was 0.06, and the total reported p value was 0.00001. Although the result of our meta-analysis was not significant, it was shown that the risk of urethritis is 0.06 more in trichomoniasis patients than in the non-exposed group. Conclusion. Findings from the included papers showed that trichomoniasis is not a risk factor for male urethritis. Although trichomoniasis alone is not the main cause of urethritis, it can be considered one of the risk factors in male urethritis. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to perform further studies to clarify the detailed association between T. vaginalis infection and urethritis risk in male patients.

Purpose. Lophomonas spp., is an emerging protozoan parasite that belongs to the Parabasalids (Parabasalia, lophomonadida) which infects the respiratory tracts of humans. Despite the presence of a few reports of human lophomoniasis, the true burden of Lophomonas infection is unknown. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the latest global status of publications reporting human cases of lophomoniasis as a new emerging protozoal disease. Methods. A comprehensive and systematic search was performed in 10 (five English and five Persian) databases for studies reporting cases of lophomoniasis between 1993 and March 2020 (27 years). Then, the selected articles were carefully reviewed and screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. Overall, 32 eligible publications reporting 307 lophomoniasis cases from around the world are included in this review. The patients were aged between 1 month and 84 (mean age = 23.7 years). The highest number of cases (n = 171; 55.7%, P

Abstract Anaphylactic shock is an unexpected, life‐threatening, and sometimes fatal occurrence that affects patients in 75% of instances without a prior history of allergies. The severity of the reaction can vary among individuals. We report a case who died suddenly after being stung by bees in various parts of his body.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Echinococcus multilocularis are responsible for serious health and economic implications for humans and animals. This study was designed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of global research on echinococcosis/hydatidosis included in the Web of Science Core Collection databases from 2000 to 2019. A total of 7066 relevant articles between 2000 and 2019 were identified. Most articles were published in 2015 (502 articles), 2017 (492 articles) and 2018 (493 articles), with the Veterinary Parasitology journal publishing the largest number of articles (237). Researchers from Xinjiang Medical University, China authored the most articles (388) in the field. Authors Craig, P.S. and Deplazes, P. were the most active in publishing143 and 126 hydatid cyst research papers, respectively. The most echinococcosis/hydatidosis publications originated from Turkey, China and Iran, with 1210, 708 and 531 articles, respectively. The highest levels of research collaboration were evident between China- England, China-France, England-France, China-Australia, and China-Japan. Also, the top researchers in this field had relatively extensive collaborations with each other. Our bibliometric analysis provides a picture of the scientific research into the echinococcosis/hydatidosis field. Further multi-national collaborative research efforts in this field should show promising progress in the future.

Abstract Acute methanol poisoning may be associated with a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and acute pancreatitis. We present a 37‐year‐old man with acute pancreatitis due to methanol poisoning during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Abstract The patients with a history of intentional or unintentional consumption of rodenticide compounds, especially ZnP, it is necessary to assess ABG and abdominal radiography.

Abstract Due to long corticosteroid therapy in patients with COVID‐19, in case of cough, dyspnea, and weight loss, emerging pulmonary aspergillosis and lophomoniasis should be ruled out.

Abstract Conium maculatum toxicity may occur by mistakenly or intentionally eating this plant. Due to muscarinic or nicotinic symptoms associated with this plant toxicity, supportive care and treatment with atropine are urgently important.