Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 1 9 Huong Nguyen Thu Department of Microbiology-Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Hanoi University of Health Public, Hanoi, Vi-etnam Thang Dao Van 1. Department of Infectious Disease, Military Hospital 103, Hanoi, Vietnam 2. Department of Infectious Disease, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam Van Nguyen Thi Anh Department of Microbiology-Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Hanoi University of Health Public, Hanoi, Vi-etnam Tho Tran Huy Department of Outpatient, National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Hanoi, Vietnam Tuyen Nguyen Trung Department of Orthopedic, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam Nam Le Van 1. Department of Infectious Disease, Military Hospital 103, Hanoi, Vietnam 2. Department of Infectious Disease, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam Binh Do Nhu 1. Department of Infectious Disease, Military Hospital 103, Hanoi, Vietnam 2. Department of Infectious Disease, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam 2021 01 13 2021 06 15 Background: We determined the occurrence frequency of Clinical signs, subclinical characteristics on positive anti-IgG Toxocara ELISA cases, and clinical response results after 1 month of albendazole-specific treatment.  Methods: A number of 103 clinically treated patients were studied between 2018 and 2019 in two hospitals. Relevant data are collected from examination and medical records such as age, sex, job, resident, clinical and sub-clinical signs. Sera samples were subjected to anti-IgG Toxocara antigen using ELISA.  Results: The median age of the patient was 43.6 ± 14.4 years. The most common symptom groups were the skin and mucosa (88.3%), followed by neurological symptoms (44%). There are 76.7% of patients with risk factors for contact with pet dogs and cats. The majority of eosinophils in the normal range (< 8%) accounted for 85.4%, the major results of the OD value of ELISA were in the group (≥ 0.3-< 1.5) accounted for 75.7%. The skin and mucosa lesions in toxocariasis patients related to IgE values were statistically significant (P <0.05). The effectiveness of anthelmintic treatment is low with nearly half of patients having no clinical symptoms after 1 month of post-treatment. It is statistically significant between exposure to dogs/cats and treatment outcomes on clinical symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Toxocara infections in Vietnamese people often have skin allergies and liver damage, rarely with severe neurological symptoms. The efficacy of albendazole treatment after one month is not clear. In the near future, research with a confirmatory test other than Anti-IgG Toxocara ELISA is needed to screen for in-hospital diagnosis. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3235 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3235/1189

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 96 100 EN Mahmut Kursat Ozsahin Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey Bedri Karaismailoglu Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey Cumhur Deniz Davulcu Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey Erdem Sahin Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey Murat Hız Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey 2021 04 19 2021 12 25 We report a 44-years-old woman with cystic echinococcosis (CE) who presented with simultaneous involvement of liver and vastus lateralis muscle to Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey in 2020. Although she underwent surgery for the liver, the intramuscular mass was ignored. While the patient was under post-operative albendazole treatment, she was investigated for the mass on her right thigh which was excised later. The comparison of magnetic resonance imaging before and after albendazole treatment showed that albendazole eliminated the intramuscular vesicle structures by accelerating the degeneration process of the cyst. The comparison of pathology samples sent from both liver and intramuscular CE also revealed that the albendazole has left the laminar membrane intact, degenerate the germinative membrane, thereby reducing the intra-vesicle pressure and also caused the scolex structures to disappear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to report the effect of preoperative albendazole treatment on the structure of intramuscular CE. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3324 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3324/1200

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 90 95 Soghra Viesy Department of Parasitology, School of Paramedicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Zahra Rezaei Department of Parasitology, School of Paramedicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Iman Pouladi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Asad Mirzaei Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Jahangir Abdi Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran 2020 06 29 2021 06 22 Background: Blastocystis sp., located in the large intestine, is one of the most common zoonotic parasites. Risk factors affect its prevalence and pathogenicity, and it causes gastrointestinal disorders. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the Blastocystis sp. prevalence and its relationship with gastrointestinal disorders, in patients referred to laboratories, and provide some prevention strategies. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 1,000 stool specimens were collected from patients referred to Ilam, Iran laboratories from 2018-2019. Wet mount method was conducted on samples, and suspected specimens were confirmed using trichrome staining. The demographic and clinical information was recorded in a questionnaire. Finally, the results were analyzed using the SPSS. Results: Blastocystis infection was detected in 81 out of 1,000 patients (8.1%) including 61 (75.3%) males and 20 (24.7%) females. and illiterate people were more at risk. The prevalence in rural was more than urban areas, and it was more in the age group of 31-50 year. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between Blastocystis sp. and risk factors (age, sex, level of education, and residence) and clinical symptoms (stomach ache and nausea) (P<0.05), but interestingly there was no significant relationship between bloating and diarrhea.Blastocystis hominis https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2967 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/2967/1199

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 10 17 EN Zahra Heidari Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Zahra Alizadeh Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamid Afzoun Khiyavi Health Center Laboratory, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Soheila Molaei Zoonoses Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Abdollah Mahdavi Department of Health Information Management, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Behnam Mohammadi-Ghalehbin Department of Medical Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran 2020 12 17 2021 06 15 Background: Toxocariasis is a worldwide-distributed helminth parasitic infection. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in children living in Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran. Methods: A seroepidemiological study to evaluate human toxocariasis among urban and rural populations of Ardabil County, North-West of Iran using ELISA test was carried out from 2019 to 2020. The study population was 472 children (185 females and 287 males) aged between 5 and 15 yr old. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against Toxocara spp. were analyzed by ELISA test. Results: Of the 472 collected serum samples, 66 (14.0%) were positive for antibodies against human toxocariasis. The highest prevalence of infection was observed in children with age groups of 5-6 years. Data demonstrate higher seroprevalence among males (15.3%) than females (11.8%). Rural areas prevalence was significantly higher (24.4%) than the urban area (8.65%). The rate of the diseases was 22.8% in children having history of contact with dog. Conclusion: Toxocariasis is prevalent in the children of Ardabil region. The present study can increase the awareness of the population about the risk of zoonotic diseases as well as the anthelmintic treatment of dogs by veterinarians and, more importantly, the control of stray dogs. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3200 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3200/1190

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 101 104 Nelli Tumolskaya Martsinovsky Institute оf Medical Parasitology, Trорiсаl, and Vесtоr-Воrnе Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russian Fеdеrаtiоn Vladimir Sergiev Martsinovsky Institute оf Medical Parasitology, Trорiсаl, and Vесtоr-Воrnе Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russian Fеdеrаtiоn Olga Zelya Martsinovsky Institute оf Medical Parasitology, Trорiсаl, and Vесtоr-Воrnе Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russian Fеdеrаtiоn Valerij Zavoikin Martsinovsky Institute оf Medical Parasitology, Trорiсаl, and Vесtоr-Воrnе Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russian Fеdеrаtiоn 2021 08 26 2021 11 02 Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a self-curing skin infection distributed in tropics and subtropics. Up to one million cases of CL appeared in endemic areas a year. Leishmanization (artificially controlled infections) was widely used to control cutaneous leishmaniasis in the past. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common epithelial neoplasm of the skin. Cases of BCC developing in a leishmanial scar have been documented. We present the first case of confirmed basal cell carcinoma arising in 2020 in an 81-old physician working in Moscow (Russian Federation) in a leishmanial scar.  It was 50 years after the primary lesion due to a successful leishmanization, widely used to control cutaneous leishmaniasis in the past. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3434 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3434/1201

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 18 27 Abdolhossein Dalimi Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Sayed Hussain Mosawi Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Reza Fotouhi-Ardakani Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran Ali Dalirghafari Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2020 05 01 2021 06 15 Background: Malaria is one of the major health problems in endemic countries like Afghanistan. Evidence has been reported about reducing the effects of chloroquine against Plasmodium falciparum in many endemic countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance mutations in pfmdr1 and pfdhfr genes of P. falciparum samples detected in blood samples of malaria patients in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. Methods: Samples were taken on DNA retention cards and 3 glass slides (thin and thick spread) from Laghman Province, Afghanistan in 2018. The pfmdr and pfdhfr mutations in 30 P. falciparum positive samples were examined using PCR-RFLP techniques. The PCR product was then sequenced to determine the mutation at the N86Y and D1246Y mutations of the pfmdr1 and N51, C59, I164, S108 and A16 points of pfdhfr genes. Results: In the pfmdr1 gene, all samples were wild-type and no mutation was detected at point 86 and D1246Y. In the pfdhfr gene sequences using CLC main workbench software no mutations were detected at codons 16, 51. However, some mutation was observed at codons 59, 108 and 164. These mutations were L164I, S108N and C59R. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of the possible emergence of fansidar-resistant specimens in Laghman. The data of this study provide the basis for future prospective studies in other endemic areas of Afghanistan. The absence of significant mutations in P. falciparum samples of Laghman Province may indicate that this parasite may have switched to chloroquine re-sensitization in this area. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2901 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/2901/1191

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 105 110 Shirin Sayyahfar Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ramin Zare Mahmoudabadi Department of Pediatrics, Firoozabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Soheila Mahdavynia Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Firoozabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Abdoulreza Esteghamati Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran Borna Salemi Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran khadijeh khanaliha Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2019 09 15 2022 03 14 Myiasis is an infestation caused by dipterous larvae. Nosocomial myiasis usually occurs in bedridden patients. Herein, we report a nasal myiasis in a 12-year-old female with cerebral palsy (CP) from Tehran, Iran and provide morphological identification of Lucilia sericata as the causative agent. The infection was identified 10 days after the hospital admission. It can be categorized as a nosocomial infection. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of nasal myiasis in the pediatric age group from Tehran, Iran. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2668 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/2668/1202

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 28 35 Rehane Raisnia Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Hadi Mohebalian Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Atousa Shahrokhi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Hassan Borji Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2020 09 10 2021 06 15 Background: Today, the inhibitory effect of helminths on tumor cell growth has been proven. We investigated the anti-tumor activity of Marshallagia marshalli somatic against K562 cells.  Methods: Different concentrations of M. marshalli somatic antigen were incorporated in the culture medium of K652 cells, and the proliferation and apoptosis were measured after 24, 48, and 72 h, using MTT and Annexin V/PI staining assay. Results:  Treatment of cells with 1-2 mg/ml antigen for 24-72 h could suppress cell proliferation and increase apoptosis. While treating cells with 0.1 mg/ml antigen for 72 h could inhibit cell growth. There was no meaningful effect on treated cells in comparison with the control group (P< 0.05) after incubating cells for 24- 48 h with 0.1 mg/ml antigen. Conclusion: M. marshalli somatic antigen had an anti-cancer property, and its role in cancer treatment could be considered as an effective therapeutic method. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3033 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3033/1192

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 111 117 EN Anastasia Komnenou Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Nektarios Giadinis Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Maria Kritsepi-Konstantinou Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Angelos-Loris Thomas Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Stefania Danika Private Veterinarian, Trikala, Greece Konstantinos Terpsidis Greek Army, Thessaloniki, Greece Evanthia Petridou Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Elias Papadopoulos Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece 2017 03 25 2018 02 19 A female, 5 yr old Bactrian camel was presented to the Exotic and Wildlife Medicine Unit, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, with severe dehydration, depression, anorexia, mild dyspnea and diarrhea. Supportive treatment immediately initiated with fluids, electrolytes and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The general condition of the animal was stable for the next 3 days, but at 4th day became worse, since the camel remained in sternal recumbency, denied to drink water and abortion of a mummified fetus was noticed. The aborted fetus and fetal membranes were submitted for laboratory examinations (bacterial cultures, MZN, cytology, PCR) that revealed Toxoplasma gondii infection. Treatment with sulfadimidine improved the situation of the animal that returned to its farm 1 week later. This seems to be the first reported case in the literature of confirmed toxoplasmic abortion in camels.  https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/1562 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/1562/1203

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 36 42 Fariba Jafari Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Seyed Mousa Motavallihaghi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Mehran Bakhtiari Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran Amir Hossein Maghsood Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Faeze Foroughi-Parvar Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2021 08 23 2021 11 02 Background: We aimed to evaluate Sarcocystis contamination in conventional and industrial raw beef burger samples from butcheries and retail stores in Hamadan, western Iran. Methods: Overall, 80 samples including 30 conventional and 50 industrial hamburgers were randomly obtained from different butcheries and supermarkets. All specimens were studied by digestion method following microscopic examination. Samples` genomic ribosomal DNA were amplified and nucleotide sequences were analyzed by BLAST for comparison with the sequences in the gene bank of the NCBI. Results: Sarcocystis bradyzoites were detected in 46 of 80 (57.6%) samples. Positive specimens were included as 46 (57.6%) and 30 (37.5%) by digestion and molecular method, respectively. Differences between two studied (digestion and molecular) methods was statistically significant (P=0.00). Twenty-six (86.5 %) of 30 conventional beef burgers and 20 (40%) of 50 industrial burgers were positive for Sarcocystis sp. by digestion method. There was a significant difference between Sarcocystis infested conventional and industrial beef burgers (P=0.01). Conclusion: The parasitic contamination of beef burgers implied a high level of infection in cattle. Felids as the definitive hosts for S. bovifelis urged on the improvement of the hygienic conditions of keeping and feeding livestock in order to reduce the infection. Molecular techniques confirm species in meat products with high sensitivity and distinguish it from human species. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3428 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3428/1193

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 118 123 EN Mohammad Zibaei 1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran 2. Evidence-Based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Fatemeh Sadat Mahdavi Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Farzaneh Firoozeh Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Hamidreza Hasani Department of Ophthalmology, Madani Medical Center, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Saeed Bahadory Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2021 08 17 2022 03 14 Ocular toxocariasis in humans is caused by infection with larvae of Toxocara species, which are common ascarid roundworms of mammals, kept in close proximity to human. Four cases with a history of contact with dogs and cats and blurred vision and visual impairment over periods of variable duration were examined. We screened patients diagnosed with ocular larva migrans syndrome between March and June 2021 at the Ophthalmology clinics affiliated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. Detailed demographics, clinical characteristics, and fundus photography were recorded. Anti-Toxocara antibodies in the sera and vitreous fluid detected by ELIZA. Complete recovery in all four patients was achieved following treatment with oral albendazole. The diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis can be challenging, because both the condition is relatively uncommon and its presentation varies from patient to patient. There are lots of differential diagnoses like retinoblastoma, therefore correct, quick diagnosis, and treatment is very important. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3422 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3422/1204

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 43 52 Muhammad Aurongzeb 1. Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genome Research, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan 2. Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan Yasmeen Rashid Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan Syed Naqvi Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan Ambrina Khatoon Department of Research, Ziauddin University, 4/B, Saharah-e-Ghalib, Block-6, Clifton, Karachi, 7500, Pakistan Sadia Abdul Haq Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan Muhammad Kamran Azim Department of Biosciences, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Karachi, Pakistan Imdad Kaleem Department of Bioinformatics and Bioscience, COMSATS University (CUI), Islamabad, Pakistan Shahid Bashir Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia 2021 02 03 2021 06 15 Background: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an acute and fulminant CNS infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Recreational activities and ritual ablution with contaminated warm fresh water are the main reason of PAM. Pakistan ranked the second most affected country, where most of the PAM incidences were reported from Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: In May, 2019, a 28-yr-old suspected PAM patient came to the Imam Zain-Ul-Abdin Hospital, Karachi. Biochemical and cytological investigations of patient`s CSF were carried out at Karachi Diagnostic Center and Molecular Biology Lab. Sequencing of Naegleria sp. specific (ITS) primer-based amplicons was performed from both patient`s CSF and water samples followed by multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic studies. Results: Biochemical and cytological investigations of patient`s CSF showed 5 mg/dl glucose, 240 mg/dl total protein and 2260/mm3 TLC suggesting acute meningoencephalitis. PCR-based analyses of patient`s CSF and his residential tap water samples using Naegleria sp. specific (ITS) and N. fowleri specific primers revealed the presence of N. fowleri DNA. Nucleotide sequences of ITS primer-based amplicons from both patient`s CSF and water samples were submitted in GenBank under the accession numbers MT726981.1 and MT726226.1, respectively. According to phylogenetic analysis, N. fowleri isolate from Pakistan has shown the least node age of seven. Conclusion: Here, for the very first time in Pakistan, N. fowleri genotype has been identified as type-2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that N. fowleri isolate from Pakistan is among the latest descendants, i.e., evolved later in life. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3255 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3255/1194

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 53 61 Hajar Mikaeiloo Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Ghaffarifar Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Abdolhossein Dalimi Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Zuhair Hassan Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zohreh Sharifi Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran 2020 12 13 2021 07 07 Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect humans and animals. As the choice drug have shown side effects, development a new drug with low toxicity will be necessary. Methods: BALB/c mice were infected with tachyzoiets of T. gondii. After treatment by oral and parenteral artemether (250 µg/mice) and sulfadiazine (50 µg/mice), we evaluated the rates of survival in treated and control mice. The fold change of B1 gene (target gene) expression in liver and brain of mice treated with parenteral artemether (i.p.), oral artemether (via gavage) and sulfadiazine, were detected by using the Real-Time quantitative PCR. Results: Both treatment with sulfadiazine and artemether showed significant prolongation in time to death of the infected mice compared to the control group. Median survival days for parenteral artemether, oral artemether, sulfadiazine and control group were 8, 11, 12 and 6 d respectively. Expression of B1 gene in liver and brain of mice after treatment with artemether and sulfadiazine were reduced in comparison to housekeeping gene (β-tubulin gene). The fold change (comparing to control group) for parenteral artemether, oral artemether, sulfadiazine is 0.034, 0.027 and 0.111 for liver and 0.220, 0.425 and 0.366 for brain respectively. Conclusion: Artemether is effective to control the tachyzoites of T. godii in vivo conditions and oral treatment is more effective than parenteral treatment. Due to its low cytotoxicity and its high effective action against the tachyzoietes of T. godii in susceptible animals. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3201 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3201/1195

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 62 69 Gamalenkosi Nhlonzi 1. Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2. School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Absalom Mwazha 1. Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2. School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2021 05 04 2021 10 13 Background: To describe the clinicopathological features of human coenurosis diagnosed at a single center in an academic Anatomical Pathology Laboratory, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: This was a 10-year retrospective laboratory based study, from 2011-2020, which reappraised the clinical presentation, histomorphological tissue reaction patterns and outcomes in patients diagnosed with coenurosis. Results: Five cases of coenurosis and 19 cases of cysticercosis were diagnosed during the study period. Following re-appraisal of the slides, 6 cases of coenurosis were confirmed and included in the study cohort. The anatomical distribution of disease was as follows: brain (1), liver (1), eye (1) and soft tissue (3). There were 3 males and 3 females and the patients’ age ranged from 2 to 46 (mean 22.2) yr. Three patients were HIV positive whilst the clinical history of the infection was not available for the other 3 patients. All patients presented with mass effect related symptoms, ranging from headache to a painful soft tissue swelling. Two cases displayed synovial metaplasia in addition to characteristic chronic subacute inflammation and fibrosis. One case had supportive inflammation. Two cases comprised of coenuri exclusively and therefore it was not possible to assess tissue reaction. Conclusion: We describe the first cases of human coenurosis in HIV positive patients and for the first time report synovial metaplasia as one of the reaction patterns of coenurosis. Whenever cysticercosis and hydatidosis are considered clinically, a negative serology should prompt clinicians to consider coenurosis in addition to the neoplastic diagnostic considerations. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3329 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3329/1196

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 70 78 Ali Mohammadi 1. Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2. National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infection Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Hamadan, Iran Arezoo Bozorgomid Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran GholamReza Mowlavi Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Mohammad Reza Abai Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ehsan Mostafavi 1. National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infection Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Hamadan, Iran 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 2019 09 10 2022 01 03 Background: We aimed to evaluate the rate of infection by endoparasites amongst rodents in the western regions of Iran to enhance the level of knowledge amongst health authorities in this entity. Methods: This study was conducted in the west and southwest of Kurdistan Province, including the cities of Sanandaj, Marivan, and Sarvabad. The field mission of this work was performed in three seasons’ spring, summer, and autumn. The rodents were captured alive and their gastrointestinal tracts were evaluated for the worm endoparasites. Results: Herein, 208 rodents from 15 types of seven species, including Apodemus, Meriones, Mus, Sciurus, Cricetulus, Microtus, and Dryomys, were captured. In addition, 67 (32.21%) rodents were infected with endoparasites and 10 types of worms endoparasites, including Syphacia muris, Streptophagus spp., Mastophorus muris, Skrjabinema spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Trichuris muris, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis dimimuta, Heligmosomoide spp., and other oxiuros were isolated from their gastrointestinal tracts. Most of these parasites (60%) were isolated from their small intestine whereas they were least (10%) found in their stomach and cecum. Conclusion: Having compared the results of this study with other studies in different regions of Iran, there is a higher variety of rodents and worm parasites in these regions of Iran. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2665 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/2665/1197

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 1 2022 03 14 79 89 Lida Khaleghi Rostamkolaie Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Hossein Hamidinejat Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Mohammad Hossein Razi Jalali Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Hossein Najafzadeh Varzi Department of Pharmacology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Massoud Reza Seifi Abadshapouri Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Hedieh Jafari Department of Venomous Animal and Biological Product, Razi Vaccines and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Re-search Education and Extension Organization, Ahvaz, Iran 2020 10 31 2021 06 15 Background: The present study determined the effect of the fractions obtained from Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom on the tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii. Methods: The fractions of dried venom of He. lepturus scorpion of Khuzestan Province, southern Iran in 2019 were isolated through gel filtration chromatography, and then tachyzoites were exposed to fractions of venom at different concentrations. Trypan blue counting and MTT were applied to assay tachyzoite viability, and the inhibition of the cellular growth of fractions in Vero cells was evaluated. Results: The maximum effect on tachyzoite was observed in fraction 5 of venom. To further separate the protein, fraction 5 was used in high-performance liquid chromatography assay to purify its proteins. Based on the results of HPLC of fraction 5, among which the second peak, a peptide with <10 KDa representing a more potent effect in eliminating the tachyzoite of T. gondii. Conclusion: The scorpion venom-purified fractions possess anti-parasitic activity against the tachyzoite of T. gondii and can be used in parasite-controlling studies. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3139 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3139/1198