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Background This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) in the rural community of West Ismailia and its associated risk factors. Human infection by GIP is natural and expected. There are few records concerning parasitic infection in the rural areas of the Ismailia Governorate. Methods From 520 individuals, sociodemographic and risk factors information were retrieved. Fecal samples were collected, concentrated, and tested for GIP infection using a microscopic examination. Results The West Ismailia study population had a 40.4% prevalence of GIP infection, including single and concomitant parasite infections. The most common cause of GIP infection was protists (38%). Entamoeba sp., Blastocystis sp., and G. duodenalis were the most common parasites. Poly-parasitism was prevalent within the West Ismailia region. Age, abdominal symptoms, perianal itching, ownership of numerous animal species, exposure to turbid water, previous parasitic infection (PPI), and non-treatment reception of PPI were all considered significant factors associated with GIP infection. Specific individuals from the same family have been observed to have identical GIP. Conclusion GIP infection remains underestimated in rural areas. Periodic screening and treatment for GIP infection in children and public education on GIP hazards and prevention, focusing on personal hygiene, are recommended. Family members of affected individuals should be screened and treated for GIP. Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, Human, Prevalence, West Ismailia, Risk factors, Egypt, Author(s): Shahira Abdelaziz Ali Ahmed[sup.1], Samar Farag Mohamed[sup.2], Heba Sayed El-Mahallawy[sup.3], Annalisa Quattrocchi[sup.4] and Panagiotis Karanis[sup.5] Background Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) can colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. The [...]

In Italy at the beginning of 2022, a large part of the population >10 years of age was vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (1). Nevertheless, a high number of new infections occurred [...]

Byline: Prashant. Kumar, Alvee. Saluja, Jyoti. Garg, Rajinder. Dhamija, Kuljeet. Anand Sir, Prior studies have reported an increased prevalence of neuropathy in Parkinson's Disease (PD). From India, only two cross-sectional [...]

Background: Mechanisms for how environmental chemicals might influence pain has received little attention. Epidemiological studies suggest that environmental factors such as pollutants might play a role in migraine prevalence. Potential targets for pollutants are the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which on activation release pain-inducing neuropeptide calcitonin generelated peptide (CGRP). Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the hypothesis that environmental pollutants via TRP channel signaling and subsequent CGRP release trigger migraine signaling and pain. Methods: A calcium imaging-based screen of environmental chemicals was used to investigate activation of migraine pain- associated TRP channels TRPA1 and TRPV1. Based on this screen, whole-cell patch clamp and in silico docking were performed for the pesticide pentachlorophenol (PCP) as proof of concept. Subsequently, PCP-mediated release of CGRP and vasodilatory responses of cerebral arteries were investigated. Finally, we tested whether PCP could induce a TRPA1-dependent induction of cutaneous hypersensitivity in vivo in mice as a model of migraine-like pain. Results: A total of 16 out of the 52 screened environmental chemicals activated TRPA1 at 10 or 100 [micro]M. None of the investigated compounds activated TRPV1. Using PCP as a model of chemical interaction with TRPA1, in silico molecular modeling suggested that PCP is stabilized in a lipidbinding pocket of TRPA1 in comparison with TRPV1. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments showed that PCP induced calcium influx in neurons and resulted in a TRPA1-dependent CGRP release from the brainstem and dilation of cerebral arteries. In a mouse model of migraine-like pain, PCP induced a TRPA1-dependent increased pain response ([N.sub.total] = 144). Discussion: Here we show that multiple environmental pollutants interact with the TRPA1-CGRP migraine pain pathway. The data provide valuable insights into how environmental chemicals can interact with neurobiology and provide a potential mechanism for putative increases in migraine prevalence over the last decades. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12413, Introduction In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) found migraine to be the second largest cause of disability worldwide only exceeded by low back pain. (1) It is debated whether [...]

Enteric fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi, causes substantial illness and death globally (1). However, estimating the population-level burden of infection is challenging. Blood culture, the standard [...]

Six million persons are estimated to have Chagas disease in the Americas; 20%-30% of those cases will progress to cardiac or gastrointestinal disease (1). Early treatment of infection with the [...]