1,720,978 research outputs found
Prevalence and clinical relevance of Blastocystis hominis in diverse patient cohorts.
No full textThe pathogenicity of Blastocystis hominis is extensively debated in the medical literature. Therefore, we did a prevalence study to investigate the association between the presence of several intestinal parasites and gastrointestinal symptoms in diverse patient cohorts. The study population consisted of 1216 adults, including immunocompromised patients, institutionalized psychiatric or elder subjects, immigrants from developing countries, travellers to developing tropical countries and controls. Several variables for each risk group were considered. Stools specimens, collected in triplicate, were processed by the same technicians. Clinical data about each subject were provided by standardized questionnaires. The presence of gastrointestinal symptoms were related to the presence of any parasite. In addition, on the basis of microbiological results, five subgroups of subjects were evaluated. The results showed a high prevalence of parasites in all the risk groups. Immunocompromised status, recent arrival from developing countries and the presence of behavioural aberrations were significantly related to presence of parasites. B. hominis was the parasite most frequently detected in each studied group. B. hominis showed a significant correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms only when detected in the group including subjects with a severe immunodepression. Immunodepression seems to be a factor of primary importance of the pathogenic role of B. hominis
Cyclosporiasis in a traveler returning from South America.
No full textCyclospora is a coccidian, previously referred to as a cyanobacterium-like body, with an epidemiology similar to that of Cryptosporidium parvum. In recent years, several studies have shown that Cyclospora is not a rare opportunistic pathogen but rather is the cause of common, worldwide intestinal infections in healthy adults and children. Previous reports of diarrhea resulting from Cyclospora sp. have been linked to travelers and immunocompromised patients. The species has a worldwide distribution. Although Cyclospora infection has been reported from Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Middle East, North Africa, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, the United States, Central America, and South America, the true prevalence of this parasite in any population is unknown. The parasite is associated with prolonged self-limiting and relapsing watery diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, and sometimes myalgia. Fever is infrequent
La giardiasi: una parassitosi di continua attualità. Indagine tra una selezionata popolazione adulta
No full textWe studied the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in five patients risk groups including institutionalised psychiatric of elderly subjects, HIV-positive immunocompromised patients, immigrants from developing countries and travellers to tropical countries. Stool specimens of 1319 subjects were studied. Stools were collected in triplicate from each subject. The presence of bacteria, viruses and parasites was evaluated. A direct smear examination from fresh faecal specimens and after concentration with formalin-ethylacetate was performed for parasite examination. Smears were also stained by a modified acid fast method and then examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and other coccidia. Cryptosporidium parvum and G. intestinalis were also detected by immunofluorescent assay. Contemporaneously a microbiological investigation was performed with standard culture, biochemical techniques and viral detection. Clinical data about each subject were provided by standardised questionnaires. G. intestinalis was detected in the stools of 41 subjects (3.5%). The immigrants (5.5%), the institutionalised psychiatric patients (5.0%) and HIV immunocompromised patients (4.6%) showed the highest prevalence. By contrast, travellers showed the lowest prevalence (2.5%). G. intestinalis was the pathogen most frequently detected. The cohorts with the presence of more risk factors showed the highest prevalence. The low prevalence of the parasite among travellers demonstrated the significance of health education before travelling and of the most important role of bacterial etiopathogenesis in "traveller's diarrhoea". Epidemiologically, G. intestinalis remains a protozoon of evident importance and is significantly present in Italy
In vitro activities of membrane-active peptides alone and in combination with clinically used antimicrobial agents against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
No full textThe in vitro activities of buforin II, cecropin P1, and magainin II, alone and in combination with six clinically used antimicrobial agents, against 12 clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were investigated. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC and time-kill studies. The isolates were susceptible to the peptides at concentrations in the range of 0.50 to 16 microg/ml. Synergy was observed when the peptides were combined with polymyxin E, meropenem, ceftazidime, piperacillin, and clarithromycin
In-vitro activity of cationic peptides alone and in combination with clinically used antimicrobial agents against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
No full text[Prevalence of Toxocara spp in public playgrounds in a town of Central Italy]
No full textIn this study, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. was evaluated in the soil of 22 public playgrounds of Ancona (Italy). The public playgrounds were selected according to the different areal distribution (centre, low-lying areas centre, hilly areas suburbs) within the urban area of Ancona, central Italy. In six playgrounds there were signs restricting access for dogs; all of them were frequented by children. Parasites were found in the soil samples from 21 out of 22 playgrounds (95.5%). The most prevalent helminth found was Toxocara canis, the common roundworm of dogs. It was detected in the soil samples from 12 (54.5%) playgrounds. This study showed a low frequency of the other parasites. Our data highlight the need for improved knowledge of the relationship between humans and stray animals. Indeed several zooparasites have a role in the etiopathogenesis of common human diseases. The high environmental contamination frequency found underlines the necessity of prompt preventive public health measures, such as control of stray animals, treatment of infected pets and hygiene education of the population to increase awareness of potential zoonotic hazards
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