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PubMed1998

Causes of death of wild birds of the family Fringillidae in Britain.

The provision of supplementary food for wild birds in gardens during the winter months is common in the UK, but it is possible that it may precipitate infectious diseases in the birds. This paper describes the results of postmortem examinations of 116 wild finches carried out over a period of four years. The two commonest causes of death in areas where high mortality had been reported were infections with the bacteria Salmonella typhimurium DT40 and Escherichia coli O86. Coccidia of the genera Atoxoplasma or Isospora were found in several of the birds but were considered to be incidental. Megabacteria were also identified in some of the birds, for the first time in flocks of wild birds in the UK, but they were not considered to be significant.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exflagellation of microgametocytes in Plasmodium vivax malaria: a diagnostic conundrum.

OBJECTIVE: To present a clinical diagnostic conundrum of unidentified structures in a blood smear from a patient with Plasmodium vivax malaria. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 37-year-old Ethiopian male presented with a 4-month history of chills, chronic diarrhea and weight loss. He was diagnosed with P. vivax malaria, advanced HIV infection and Isospora belli enteritis. Unidentified structures initially confusing to the diagnosticians were seen in blood smears taken on admission. The structures were initially considered to represent atypical spirochetes, but were later identified as microgametes and other exflagellation forms of P. vivax. The patient recovered after receiving adequate treatment for his infections. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that exflagellation may be observed in blood smears from patients with P. vivax malaria. Size and morphological characteristics differentiate malaria microgametes and other exflagellation forms from microfilaria, spirochetes and trypanosomes.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Detection of Neospora caninum in tissue sections using a murine monoclonal antibody.

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb 6G7), isotype IgG2a, produced against tachyzoites of Neospora caninum (isolate NC-1) reacted specifically with tachyzoites of N. caninum in an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. MAb 6G7 did not react with tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii, sporozoites of Isospora suis, Eimeria bovis, or E. tenella, or merozoites of E. bovis in the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. MAb 6G7 reacted positively with both tachyzoites and bradyzoites of N. caninum in an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex immunohistochemical test on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. No reaction was observed with the following: tachyzoites and bradyzoites of T. gondii, T. gondii-like parasites, or Hammondia hammondi; bradyzoites of Frenkelia microti; schizonts and merozoites of Sarcocystis-like organisms; schizonts, sarcocysts, and oocysts/sporocysts of S. cruzi; schizonts and merozoites of S. canis; schizonts of S. hirsuta, S. tenella, and S. capracanis; merozoites of S. neurona and S. neurona-like organisms, E. bovis, or Haemoproteus sp.; bradyzoites and merozoites of S. montanaensis; bradyzoites of S. odocoileocanis, S. cruzi, and S. tenella; meronts, sexual stages, and caryocysts of Caryospora sp. and C. bigenetica; micromerozoites, macromerozoites, and schizonts of Hepatozoon canis; sporozoites, sexual stages, and oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum and C. baileyi; trophozoites of Monocystis lumbrici, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Balantidium coli; tissue cysts and bradyzoites of Besnoitia sp. and B. jellisoni; amastigotes of Leishmania sp.; and trophic theronts of Ichthyopthirius multifilis. MAb 6G7 reacted with tachyzoites and bradyzoites of N. caninum in natural and experimental infections in dogs, cattle, mice, rats, sheep, and goats, indicating that host origin of the tissues did not affect the performance of the test.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thrombocytopenia and vomiting due to difluoromethylornithine.

A 32-year-old Haitian male with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented with complications of Isospora belli enteritis. Therapy with the investigational drug difluoromethylornithine was initiated. Severe thrombocytopenia, nausea, and vomiting developed during intravenous drug therapy and recurred upon rechallenge with low-dose oral difluoromethylornithine. Therapy was discontinued because of these severe adverse effects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2005

Use of nitazoxanide as a new therapeutic option for persistent diarrhea: a pediatric perspective.

Despite advances in the management of diarrheal disorders, diarrhea is the second most frequent illness in the world. Persistent diarrhea, common in community pediatrics, is often caused by organisms such as Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and, less frequently, Cyclospora, Isospora belli, and Clostridium difficile. Identifying the causative organism is often challenging, and diagnostic tests may be inaccurate and expensive and, thus, of limited benefit. Consequently, carefully chosen empiric therapy guided by a physician's clinical impressions may be a useful and cost-effective option in children with persistent diarrhea, particularly those whose signs and symptoms suggest a protozoal etiology. This article discusses the empiric use of anti-infective nitazoxanide, a thiazolide compound, in three case reports of children with persistent diarrhea, and presents an overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic issues associated with this disorder and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drug.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Intestinal parasitic infections in Thai HIV-infected patients with different immunity status.

BACKGROUND: One of the major health problems among HIV seropositive patients is superimposed infection due to the defect of immunity. Furthermore, intestinal parasite infection, which is also one of the basic health problems in tropical region, is common in these patients. In this study, a cross sectional study to document the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in Thai HIV-infected patients with different immune status was performed. METHODS: A study of stool samples from 60 Thai HIV-infected patients with different immune status was performed at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand. Each patient was examined for CD4 count and screened for diarrheal symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among the HIV-infected patients in this study was 50 %. Non- opportunistic intestinal parasite infections such as hookworms, Opisthorchis viverrini and Ascaris lumbricoides were commonly found in HIV-infected people regardless of immune status with or without diarrheal symptoms. Opportunistic intestinal parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Isospora belli, Microsporidia and Strongyloides stercoralis infection were significantly more frequent in the low immunity group with diarrhea. CONCLUSION: Therefore, opportunistic intestinal parasite infection should be suspected in any HIV infected patient with advanced disease presenting with diarrhea. The importance of tropical epidemic non-opportunistic intestinal parasite infections among HIV-infected patients should not be neglected.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2006

Canine faecal contamination and parasitic risk in the city of Naples (southern Italy).

BACKGROUND: Dogs are associated with more than 60 zoonotic diseases among which, parasitosis and, in particular, helminthosis, can pose serious public-health concerns worldwide. Many canine gastrointestinal parasites eliminate their dispersion elements (eggs, larvae, oocysts) by the faecal route. The quantity of canine faeces deposited on public and private property in cities worldwide is both a perennial nuisance and an important health issue. Public sites such as playgrounds, parks, gardens, public squares and sandpits may be an important source of human infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of both canine faecal contamination in the city of Naples (southern Italy), and presence of canine parasitic elements, with particular regard to those which are potential agents of zoonosis. A regular grid of sub-areas (1 km x 700 m) was overlaid on the city map using a Geographical Information System (GIS). In each sub-area the straightest 1 km transect was drawn and digitalized on-screen in the GIS. Between February and May 2005 canine faeces were counted along the 1 km transects in 143 sub-areas, and 415 canine faecal samples were collected and submitted to coprological examinations. Negative binomial regression models and Gaussian random effects models were used to analyze the association between faeces count and human population density taking into account for extraPoisson variability. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between positivity to parasitic elements and number of canine faeces. RESULTS: Out of the 143 studied sub-areas, 141 (98.6%) contained canine faeces. There was a strong spatial gradient with 48% of the total variability accounted by between neighbourhood variability; a positive association between the number of faeces and the human population density was found. Seventy (over 415, 16.9%) canine faecal samples were positive for parasitic elements. There was no association between positivity to parasitic elements and the number of canine faeces. Eggs of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis were found, as well as oocysts of Isospora canis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of the present study, conducted using GIS both for planning and sampling and for evaluation and presentation of findings, showed the presence of canine faecal contamination in the city of Naples, and the presence of canine parasitic elements, some of which are potential agents of zoonosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Aspergillus niger pulmonary infection in a dog.

A 6-month-old male golden retriever was presented with fever, bloody-watery diarrhea and mild cough. Parvovirus and Isospora canis infection was confirmed and successfully treated. Two weeks later, the dog had severe cough and mucopurulent nasal discharge. Aspergillus niger was cultured from endotracheal washings on blood agar at 37 degrees C. Treatment with itraconazole for about 10 weeks resolved the clinical signs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in quarantined dogs in Taiwan.

Intestinal helminth and protozoan infection in the quarantined dogs in Taiwan were examined using fecal examination between January to December, 2004. Of the 376 dogs imported from 11 countries, 63 (16.8%) were found to be infected with at least one species of intestinal parasite. The parasites detected were oocysts of Isospora canis and eggs of Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis and hookworms. Of the 63 infected dogs, 11 were found to have a mixed infection of two different species of parasites. This paper illustrates that parasites are transmitted from one country to another through the transport of animals. Moreover, there is also a possibility of parasitic infection among quarantined dogs as well as the zoonotic potential for quarantine officers during the quarantine period.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Dung beetles, Onthophagus spp., as potential transport hosts of feline coccidia.

Cockroaches and filth-flies have been known to be transport hosts of Toxoplasma gondii but the role of dung beetles as the carrier of coccidian oocysts is not known. We attempted to clarify the role of dung beetles (Onthophagus spp.) as the transport host of feline coccidia including Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma oocysts were found in the feces of the beetles until day 3 after the insects were exposed to cat feces mixed with the oocysts. Furthermore, oocysts on the body surface of beetles were not easily detached but remained infective for a prolonged period of time. Infective dung beetles may contaminate the water with infective oocysts passed in their feces when they dropped into the water. In the field survey feline coccidia, Isospora felis and I. rivolta, were detected in dung beetles collected from dog feces; they play an important role in the transmission of feline coccidian oocysts in the field.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sludge anaerobic treatment and its efficiency in reducing the viability of helminth eggs].

This study evaluates the prevalence and viability of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts in sludge obtained by anaerobic treatment in four treatment stations in Curitiba, Parana State, Brazil. The parasites observed were helminths: Ascaris sp (85%), Toxocara sp (5.5%), Trichuris sp (4.5%), Hymenolepis diminuta (3.7%), H. nana (1%) and Taenia sp (0.4%), protozoan: Isospora sp, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Endolimax nana. In biological treatment based on the anaerobic digestion the effectiveness depends on the duration and temperature. The treatment showed efficiency for pathogen reduction of between 59.7 to 93%. However, the number of helminth eggs found in treatment stations was still high and new higher performance treatment is necessary for land application or for other objectives, seeking to reduce the risks for human and animal health.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enteric parasites and HIV infection: occurrence in AIDS patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The occurrence of intestinal parasites, its relation with the transmission mechanism of HIV, and the clinical state of the AIDS patients, were analyzed in 99 Group IV patients (CDC, 1986), treated at "Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto" (HUPE), between 1986 and 1988. The group consisted of 79 (79.8%) patients whose HIV transmission mechanism took place through sexual contact and of 16 (20.2%) who were infected through blood. Feces samples from each patient were examined by four distincts methods (Faust et al., Kato-Katz, Baermann-Moraes and Baxby et al.). The most occurring parasites were: Cryptosporidium sp., Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana (18.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis and Giardia lamblia (15.2%), E. histolytica and/or E. hartmanni (13.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11.1%) and Isospora belli (10.1%). Furthermore, 74.7% of the patients carried at least one species. Intestinal parasites were found in 78.5% of the patients who acquired the HIV through sexual intercourse and in 56.3% of those infected by blood contamination. The difference, was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). In the group under study, the increase of the occurrence of parasitic infections does not seem to depend on the acquisition of HIV through sexual contact. It appears that in developing countries, the dependency is more related to the classic mechanisms of parasites transmission and its endemicity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Description of the oocysts of three new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from iguanid lizards (Sauria: Iguanidae) of Central and South America.

Three new species of Eimeria are described from iguanid lizards of Central and South America. The oocysts of each species have no micropyles or residua and the sporocysts lack Stieda bodies, but all have a sporocyst residuum. Eimeria sanctaluciae n.sp. was found in the St. Lucia tree lizard, Anolis luciae, collected from the Maria Islands, Lesser Antilles. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, averaging 17.3 x 16.5 microns, with a single layered colourless wall; about 60% contain polar granules. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal and average 7.7 x 5.5 microns. Eimeria liolaemi n.sp. was recovered from the blue-gold swift, Liolaemus taenius, from Chile. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, measuring 21 x 20.1 microns with a single-layered colourless wall. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 7.4 x 6.8 microns. Eimeria caesicia n.sp. is described from the Brazilian collared iguanid, Tropidurus torquatus. The oocysts measure 27.4 x 23.7 microns, are spherical to subspherical, with a bilayered wall, the outer surface of which appears pale blue in colour, the thin, inner wall appearing brown, when viewed by direct light under the optical microscope. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 9.4 x 7.2 microns. Unnamed polysporocystid oocysts with dizoic sporocysts are reported from the faeces of the lesser St. Vincent tree lizard, Anolis trinitatis and the possibility of spurious parasitism briefly discussed. In addition, oocysts of an unnamed Isospora sp. with a smooth oocyst wall which closely resembles I. reui were recovered from A. trinitatis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Infections by protozoa in immunocompromised hosts.

Protozoa are among the most important pathogens that can cause infection in immunocompromised patients. They infect particularly individuals with impaired cell immunity, such as those with hematologic neoplasias, those submitted to transplant of solid organs, those under high-dose corticosteroid therapy, and carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus. Among the protozoa that most commonly cause disease in immunocompromised individuals are Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis and microsporidia; the former two cause severe encephalitis and myocarditis, and the others cause gastrointestinal infections. Early diagnosis and prompt institution of specific therapy for each of these organisms are basic measures to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with these infections.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2004

Some coccidial parasites of the lizard Amphisbaena alba (Reptilia: Amphisbaenia: Amphisbaenidae).

Five parasites are described in the lizard Amphisbaena alba (Amphisbaenidae) from the state of Par , North Brazil. Mature oocysts of Choleoeimeria amphisbaenae n. sp., are passed already mature in the faeces. They are ellipsoidal-cylindrical, average 33.7 x 22.8 m and are devoid of micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. The colourless wall is smooth and of 2 layers. The 4 dizoic sporocysts have no Stieda body and average 13 x 9.3 m. Endogenous stages develop in the epithelial cells of the gall-bladder in the manner described for the genus and may cause extensive tissue damage. Sporulation of Isospora capanemaensis n. sp., is completed 3 days after the oocysts are voided in the faeces. They average 14.8 x 14.5 m and have no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. The 2 tetrazoic sporocysts are pear-shaped, average 8.6 x 6.6 and have an inconspicuous Stieda body. Endogenous development is in the epithelial cells of the ileum, and heavy infections cause considerable tissue destruction. Multisporocystic oocysts passed in the faeces of one A. alba possibly originated from an invertebrate host ingested by the lizard. A globidium-like cyst in the digestive tract of A. alba measured 105 x 85 m and contained many hundreds of merozoites. A stained kidney smear of the same lizard revealed the presence of an unidentified parasite producing multinucleate cyst-like stages.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A randomized, pilot trial comparing full versus escalating dose regimens for the desensitization of AIDS patients allergic to sulfonamides.

UNLABELLED: Sulfonamides are drugs extensively used in the management of AIDS patients. However, the use of sulfonamides is often associated with the development of allergic reactions, provoking the substitution of the drug (by another that may be less effective); alternatively attempts are made to desensitize the patient. OBJECTIVE: Compare two drug regimens (full vs. escalating doses) for the oral desensitization of AIDS patients allergic to sulfonamides. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AIDS patients with previous allergic reactions to sulfonamides and requiring prophylaxis against Pneumocistis carinii, central nervous system toxoplasmosis and diarrhea caused by Isospora belli were randomly assigned to a group receiving a routine dose of cothrimoxazole, or another that received escalating doses of an oral suspension of the same drug, initiating with 75 mg/day of sulfamethoxazole that was doubled every 48 hours till the full dose was reached, if no allergic reaction occurred. Patients were monitored for at least 6 months after enrollment in the trial. The major end-point was the ability to maintain prophylactic treatment after that period of time. Plasma viral load (PVL) and CD(4)/CD(8) counts were measured at baseline. Liver enzymes and hematological parameters were measured at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study (15 men and 3 women), with ages ranging from 30 to 57 years (mean 39.9). The mean CD(4) counts were slightly higher for patients receiving a full dose; there was also a trend towards higher baseline CD(8) counts among patients developing new reactions. The mean PVL was similar among the patients in both desensitization groups. The incidence of new allergic reactions was identical (40%) in the two groups. All adverse reactions were mild and no significant increase in liver enzymes were observed. CONCLUSION: Dose regimen is not a predictor of the development of new allergic reactions amongst patients challenged with sulfonamides after an initial allergic reaction.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2003

AIDS-associated diarrhea and wasting in Northeast Brazil is associated with subtherapeutic plasma levels of antiretroviral medications and with both bovine and human subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum.

Advanced HIV infection is frequently complicated by diarrhea, disruption of bowel structure and function, and malnutrition. Resulting malabsorption of or pharmacokinetic changes in antiretroviral agents might lead to subtherapeutic drug dosing and treatment failure in individual patients, and could require dose adjustment and/or dietary supplements during periods of diarrheal illness. We determined the plasma levels of antiretroviral medications in patients that had already been started on medication by their physicians, in an urban infectious diseases hospital in northeast Brazil. We also obtained blood samples from patients hospitalized for diarrhea or AIDS-associated wasting, and we found reduced stavudine and didanosine levels in comparison with outpatients without diarrhea or wasting who had been treated at the same hospital clinic. There was a predominance of the protozoal pathogens Cryptosporidium and Isospora belli, typical opportunistic pathogens of AIDS-infected humans, in the stool samples of inpatients with diarrhea. We conclude that severe diarrhea and wasting in this population is associated with both protozoal pathogens and subtherapeutic levels of antiretroviral medications.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗