The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathology of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between oxidative stress markers, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [asymptomatic (AD, n = 14) and symptomatic (SD, n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of non-infected control dogs (CD, n = 30). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and albumin concentration (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations (p < 0.001), in the SD group, were observed when compared to CD and AD groups. Dogs of the AD group presented a significant decrease in copper (p < 0.01) and zinc (p < 0.001) concentrations, when compared to CD group, while the SD group presented a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in copper and zinc concentrations, when compared to CD and AD groups. Oxidative stress markers (MDA and TAS) showed significant correlations (p < 0.001) with trace elements (copper and zinc) and liver (alanine aminotransferase) and kidney (BUN and creatinine) variables. The results of the present study revealed that symptomatic dogs showed more severe oxidative stress than asymptomatic and non-infected dogs and enhanced lipid peroxidation may be linked to liver and kidney damage in canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic infection. In healthy individuals, the infection is largely asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised people the parasite can become widely disseminated, causing severe toxoplasmosis. In patients undergoing haemodialysis, the phagocytic process shows a highly significant impairment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate toxoplasmosis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis in Ahvaz hospitals, southwest of Iran. A total of 280 patients and 100 healthy subjects participated in this study. The presence of serum IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii was detected by ELISA and the presence of Toxoplasma parasites in whole blood was evaluated by GRA6 PCR. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 82 (29.3 %) haemodialysis patients and 26 (26 %) controls. In addition, anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were detected in 7.9 % of patients and in 4 % of controls. For both the antibodies, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). PCR was performed with DNA extracted from blood samples of all patients and controls. PCR gave positive results with four of the 280 blood samples from patients but none for the control blood samples. The results revealed a high percentage of positivity for Toxoplasma antibodies in patients with ESRD undergoing haemodialysis and also confirmed the parasite in whole blood, indicating disseminated infection in these patients. Patients undergoing dialysis have a higher rate of active infection with Toxoplasma likely due to reactivation of a chronic infection. Thus, parasitological examinations of ESRD patients should be periodically carried out for monitoring and evaluating the possible dissemination of toxoplasmosis during haemodialysis.

IntroductionSome studies suggest Blastocystis hominis is a potentially pathogenic protozoa. Blastocystis hominis contributed to anaemia in children aged 8–10 years old in one study.AimTo compare haematological indices in cases with blastocystis hominis infection with healthy controls.Material and methodsFrom 2001 to 2012, 97600 stool examinations were done in 4 university hospitals. Parasites were observed in 46,200 specimens. Of these cases, subjects with complete laboratory investigation (complete blood count – CBC, ferritin, total iron binding capacity – TIBC, and serum) and blastocystis hominis infection were included in this study as the case group. Of these cases, 6851 cases had only B. hominis infection. In the control group, 3615 subjects without parasite infestation were included. Age, haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, TIBC, white blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), haematocrit (HCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were recorded for cases and controls. SPSS software version 13.0 was used for analysis. Independent sample t-test and χ2 tests were used for comparison.ResultsErythrocyte sedimentation rate level was significantly higher in cases with B. hominis infection (p < 0.05). C-reactive protein level was positive in 1.46% of cases and 0.5% of controls, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Frequency of serum iron < 120 was significantly higher in cases with B. hominis infection compared to controls. Occult blood was positive in 0.93% of cases and in none of the controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe ESR, CRP and occult blood was significantly higher in cases with B. hominis infection.

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, caused by a unicellular protozoan parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in the general population of Abadan city. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 496 subjects were participated. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were tested using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, a structured questionnaire was completed for each person. Out of 496 subjects, 188 (37.9%) and 30 (6.05%) samples were seropositive for IgG and IgM, respectively. The more seroprevalence was found during spring season, among female subjects, in rural inhabitants, in persons with the education level of diploma or lower, from the subjects with a history of contact with cat, in individuals who consumed raw/undercooked meat, and amongst who drink unpurified water. The results showed that inhabitants of tropical areas, may be moderately exposed to T. gondii. Increase of knowledge of people about toxoplasmosis, certainly affects in reduction of the infection.

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that produce spores. The infections caused by these parasites are mostly considered to be opportunistic in immunodeficient patients. Because of the zoonotic nature of microsporidia as well as the increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular diagnosis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) and Encephalitozoon spp. in exotic birds in southwestern Iran. Initially, 816 stool specimens were collected and stained by modified trichrome (Weber) staining. The slides were explored using light microscopy. In the next stage, the extracted DNA was amplified using a multiplex/nested PCR method. RFLP with the Mnl1 restriction enzyme was used to differentiate the Encephalitozoon species in the products of the molecular analysis. Out of 816 samples, 138 and 181 cases were found to be positive by the staining and the multiplex/nested-PCR methods, respectively. Of the 181 samples, 103 and 78 samples were positive for E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp., respectively. The Encephalitozoon species were 17 E. cuniculi, 52 E. intestinalis and 9 E. hellem. Of 103 E. bieneusi samples, 57, 39, 2 and 5 cases were detected as genotypes D, M, E and L, respectively. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of microsporidia in exotic birds, and according to the results of the genotyping, these birds can be an important source of microsporidiosis. It is essential that high-risk individuals, including patients with immunodeficiency diseases, receive accurate and valid information about the risk of direct and indirect contact with infected exotic birds.