Original Article

Prevalence and Molecular Aspects of Human Hookworms in Guilan Province, Northern Iran

Abstract

Background: Hookworm infection is one of the important Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in the world. It was previously more prevalent in the northern and southern parts of Iran with a prevalence rate higher than 40% in some endemic regions; nevertheless, the infection rate has decreased to less than 1%. This study aimed to determine prevalence and molecular aspects of hookworm infections in rural inhabitants of Fouman County, Guilan Province, northern Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 31 villages of Fouman district in Guilan Province, northern Iran during 2015-2016. Stool samples were collected from 1500 rural inhabitants and examined by formalin ethyl-acetate concentration as well as agar plate culture techniques. After treatment with albendazole, adult hookworms were isolated. FollowingDNA extraction,PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed and the product was sequenced, followed by genetic variation analysis.

Results: Of 1500 samples, one case was morphologically diagnosed as N. americanus. In addition, molecular characterization verified the presence of N. americanus, showing more than 95% similarity with sequences of N. americanus present in GenBank. The patient showed no clinical symptoms and a mild hypereosinophilia was the only laboratory finding observed.

Conclusion: A reduced prevalence of human hookworms was demonstrated within Guilan Province located in north of Iran. The N. americanus originated from Guilan had  a high homology with the isolates found in Japan, Laos, Malaysia, and Australia.

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IssueVol 12 No 3 (2017) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
Keywords
Necator americanus Iran Prevalence Phylogenetic analysis
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How to Cite
1.
SHARIFDINI M, GHANBARZADEH L, KOUHESTANI-MAKLAVANI N, MIRJALALI H, SARAEI M. Prevalence and Molecular Aspects of Human Hookworms in Guilan Province, Northern Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2017;12(3):374-381.