Ubiquitous free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba can be pathogenic and can serve as carriers of other pathogenic organisms. These amoebae are potentially dangerous when they contaminate health facilities, and these organisms may act as a source of infection for medical personnel and those seeking medical care. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the extent to which Acanthamoeba species contaminate hemodialysis and dental units in Alexandria, Egypt. Seventy samples were collected aseptically from these systems and cultivated on non-nutrient agar at room temperature, followed by morphological confirmation of the identity of Acanthamoeba using trichrome-stained smears. This study revealed that 42.9% of water samples from the hydraulic systems of both hemodialysis and dental units were positive for Acanthamoeba, with no statistically significant difference between the two unit types or between pre-and post-disinfection samples for each type of unit. The surgical category of dental clinics had the highest contamination rate (72.7%), whereas no contamination was observed for water samples from pediatric dentistry clinics. In conclusion, the hydraulic systems of hemodialysis and dental units in Alexandria are contaminated with Acanthamoeba species, and to minimize the risk of human infections, there is an urgent need to implement effective preventative measures, such as the installation of water filtration units.

Transmission of parasites may occur indirectly via inanimate objects in the surrounding environment. One of the objects most handled and exchanged by people are currency coins and banknotes, which could be one of the most potential vehicles to transmit parasites, even between countries. However, study of the potential contamination of currency in circulation with intestinal parasites has not been given the interest it deserves and the present study is the first pilot study in Alexandria, Egypt. It was revealed that 60.2% of 103 banknotes and 56.6% of 99 coins obtained from food-related workers had been contaminated with one or more parasitic species. Protozoa were the predominant parasites, with microsporidia and Cryptosporidium spp. being the most prevalent. There was no statistically significant difference between currency types regarding parasitological contamination, but there was a significant (P<0.001) association between the physical condition of currency and its contamination. Moreover, the source of the currency was not statistically associated with parasitological contamination. The denomination of coins was not statistically associated with parasitological contamination, whilst that of banknotes was with the lower denominations being more contaminated.

Background Some reports are available on the prevalence of opportunistic parasitoses among hemodialysis (HD) patients, yet there is a paucity of data on the association of CD4+ T-cell counts with such infections. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and Toxoplasma gondii in relation to CD4+ counts among HD patients in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 HD patients and 100 apparently healthy individuals between December 2014 and January 2016. Data and samples (stool and blood) were collected from the participants after obtaining their informed consent. Stool samples were examined for parasites after concentration and staining, EDTA-blood samples were used for CD4+ counting by flow cytometry, and sera were analyzed for anti- Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies. Results A significantly higher prevalence rate of intestinal parasitoses was found among HD patients compared to apparently healthy individuals (52.5% vs. 12.0%, respectively), with absence of helminths. Cryptosporidium species (32.5%), B. hominis (24.2%) and microsporidia (11.7%) were the most frequent parasites among HD patients, while B. hominis (13.0%), Cryptosporidium species (11.0%) and G. lamblia (4.0%) were the most frequent parasites among their counterparts. Statistically significant differences in parasite infection rates between patients and their counterparts were found for Cryptosporidium species, B. hominis and microsporidia. However, parasite species were not significantly associated with diarrhea. On the other hand, the overall T. gondii seroprevalence rate among HD patients was significantly higher than that among their counterparts (33.3% vs. 8%, respectively). HD patients with CD4+ counts < 200 cells/μl were twice more exposed to intestinal parasitoses compared to those with counts ≥200 cells/μl, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, low CD4+ counts were significantly associated with higher rates of Cryptosporidium species, microsporidia and T. gondii . Conclusions Intestinal parasitoses and T. gondii infection rates are significantly higher among Egyptian HD patients compared to apparently healthy individuals, with Cryptosporidium species, B. hominis , microsporidia and T. gondii being the most frequent parasites. CD4+ counts < 200 cells/μl are significantly associated with Cryptosporidium species, microsporidia and T. gondii among HD patients. ...

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Introduction: Concomitant infections with pathogens are common, particularly when there are shared modes of infection or when one pathogen promotes the other. Residence among closed-type care institutions may pose an additional risk of such infections. Mentally challenged patients in rehabilitation centers constitute one of the special needs groups exposed to parasitic infections, including giardiasis. Several studies reported concomitant infection with G. lamblia and H. pylori worldwide and in Egypt; however, the co-existence of these two pathogens among mentally challenged individuals remains unexplored. The present study aimed to study the prevalence and association between G. lamblia and H. pylori among mentally challenged patients in rehabilitation centers in Alexandria, Egypt. Methodology: 200 individuals admitted to four mental rehabilitation centers in the period from June 2013 to January 2014, who guardians gave informed consent, were recruited. Stool samples were collected and subjected to trichrome stain for G. lamblia and to antigen detection for H. pylori. Results: The overall prevalence rates of G. lamblia and H. pylori were 8.5% and 24.0%, respectively. Monoinfection rates were 5.5% for G. lamblia and 21.0% for H. pylori, while concomitant infection with both species was detected in only 3.0% of cases. However, individuals who were H. pylori-positive were about two times more likely to be infected with G. lamblia than those who were H. pylori-negative (12.5% vs. 7.2%). Conclusions: Mentally challenged individuals in Alexandria harbouring H. pylori are about two times more likely to be exposed to G. lamblia. Large-scale studies are recommended to confirm this association.