Introduction: Parasitic myositis is caused by some parasites such as T. gondii and T. canis. So, the aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence T. gondii and T. canis in patients with myositis and healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 108 samples were randomly selected as the control (54 healthy individuals) and test (54 myositis patients) groups. IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii and IgG antibodies against T. canis were measured by the ELISA. The detection of chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was performed by the ELISA IgG avidity. The presence of T. gondii in blood was evaluated by the nested-PCR. Results: Of 108, 33 (30.6%) cases were detected positive for IgG against T. gondii that 19 (35.2%) and 14 (25.9%) were observed in myositis patients and healthy individuals, respectively (P=0.296). Of 19 positive cases, 12 (63.2%) and 7 (36.8%) cases were detected as chronic and acute toxoplasmosis, respectively, while, all positive cases in the control group had chronic toxoplasmosis (P=0.013). One (1.9%) sample was detected positive for anti- Toxoplasma gondii IgM and two (3.7%) samples were found positive for IgG against T. canis by the ELISA that these positive cases were observed only in myositis patients (P=1.000 P=0.495, respectively). B1 T. gondii gene was amplified in 12 (63.2%) and 1 (7.1%) in myositis patients and healthy subjects (P=0.001). Conclusions: Our findings showed that there was a relatively high prevalence of acute toxoplasmosis in myositis patients in comparison with the control subjects in southwest of Iran.

SummaryEchinococosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus spp. that occurs in most parts of the world. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the genotypes of isolated hydatid cysts from slaughtered animals in Shush county, southwestern Iran. Totally, 96 hydatid cysts were collected, including 11 buffaloes, 13 cattle, 12 goat and 60 sheep. The PCR was done by a primer pair (BDI and 4s) to amplify ITS1 fragment. Four restriction endonucleases including AluI, HpaII, RsaI, and TaqI were used for RFLP products and enzymatic reactions were electrophoresed. Finally, twenty PCR products were sent for sequencing and phylogenetic tree was drawn with MEGA6. Molecular identification of 96 hydatid cysts demonstrated a distinctive 1000 bp fragment in all samples from four animal hosts. RFLP analysis showed similar digestion patterns in all samples. AluI digestion yielded 800 bp and 200 bp fragments, HpaII digestion made 700 bp and 300 bp fragments and RsaI digestion entailed 655 and 345segments. Moreover, TaqI rendered no digestion pattern on rDNA-ITS1 region. Additionally, E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-3 complex) was the prevailing genotype in all livestock samples, according to PCR-RFLP and sequencing analyses.

Background: Approximately, one-third of the worlds population are in the influence of intestinal parasite infections (IPIs). The infections can cause a whole range of clinical symptoms such as watery or mucoid diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and nausea, abdominal pains, as well as a fever. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate IPIs in Shush County, southwest Iran, during 2014 -2016. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, 15132 stool samples were collected during 2014 -2016. The stool samples were evaluated microscopically for the presence of parasite trophozoites, cysts, and eggs using direct and formalin-ether concentration methods. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and statistical Chi-square test. Results: Of the 15132 stool samples, 778 (5.14%) were positive for IPIs, where 429 (55.14%) were female and 349 (44.85%) were males, respectively. Entamoeba histolitica/dispar was detected as the most common parasite in 313 (2.06%) specimens (172 females, 141 males). Other parasites were included, 158 (1.04%) Giardia lamblia (83 females, 75 males), 150 (0.99%) Blastocystis hominis (84 females, 66 males), and 155 (1.02%) Entamoeba coli (90 females, 65 males). Furthermore, 2 (.0.013%) Trichuris trichiura were detected only in males. Conclusions:The results show that a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections were observed among individuals. Since the parasitic infections can cause malabsorption, severe diarrhea, paralytic ileum, intestinal obstruction, cholecystitis, liver inflammation, pulmonary, as well as renal complications, the health authorities of Shush County must pay more attention to control and prevent the transmission of intestinal parasites to individuals.

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects most warm-blooded vertebrates. Because of the immunodeficiency in hemodialysis patients, these individuals are at higher risk for reactivating chronic toxoplasmosis; therefore, a diagnosis of early and definitive in these individuals is highly desirable. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis patients of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran during 2015-2016. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 160 participants, 80 hemodialysis patients (test group) and 80 healthy persons (control group) were randomly selected. IgG and IgM against T. gondii was measured by CLIA (Chemiluminescence) and ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests. To analyze the data from Chi-square test, and SPSS statistical software of version 21 was used. Result: In hemodialysis patients, 35 (43.8%) and 25 (31.3%) were positive for the antibody of IgG by ELISA and CLIA, respectively. In healthy individuals, a positive result of 22 (27.5%) and 13 (16.3%) were obtained by ELISA and CLIA, respectively. In hemodialysis patients, 5 (6.3%) and 4 (5%) was positive by ELISA and by CLIA, respectively. In healthy individuals, a positive of 4 (5%) were obtained by ELISA and CLIA. The antibodies of IgG in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than healthy individuals by ELISA and CLIA (P<.05). Conclusion:The prevalence of Toxoplasma in hemodialysis patients was higher than healthy subjects. Our findings show a relatively high prevalence of the parasite among hemodialysis patients and healthy individuals in Ahvaz. So, the health authorities of Ahvaz city must pay more attention to control of the infection, especially in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. T. gondii can cause serious pathological effects in the fetus of infected women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM among pregnant women of Shush county, southwest of Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 276 pregnant women. IgG and IgM antibodies of T. gondii were measured by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. SPSS version 21 statistical software was used for data analysis and Chi-square test for significant differences. Results: Of 276 women, 85 (30.8%) and 2 (0.7%) were positive for IgG and IgM, respectively. Of 146 urban women, 43 (29.5%) were positive for IgG and of 130 rural women, 42 (32.3%) were positive for IgG. There was no significant difference between rural and urban women for IgG antibody (P > 0.05). Also, 2 (1.4%) out of 146 urban women were positive for IgM. All of the 130 rural women were negative for IgM. No significant difference was found between rural and urban women for IgM antibody (P > 0.05). Conclusions:The findings indicated there is a relatively high prevalence of T. gondii in the study pregnant women. Therefore, evaluation of T. gondii before marriage and pregnancy is important for women and the health authorities of Shush County must pay more attention to control and prevention of the transmission of the parasite to individuals.