Plants and intestinal parasitosis: a review on ethnopharmacological use by the Kantaruré-Batida indigenous community of Brazil

Indigenous knowledge is one of the most notable traditional sources about plants used to treat diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the botanical features and to investigate the pharmacological properties of plants used by the Kantaruré-Batida community to treat intestinal parasitosis. Botanical characterization was performed based on integrative review and on access to ‘Flora do Brasil’ platform, whereas plants’ pharmacological properties were investigated through systematic review. Among the 21 ethnospecies used, 48% were described as having activity against intestinal parasites. Although 52% had no such activity described, other properties can account for their use, that indicates that further studies are required. Therefore, this review reinforces the importance of valuing indigenous knowledge as tool to guide antiparasitic agent trials.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite in small ruminants of District Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan

The present research was planned to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites in small ruminants of Upper Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. For this purpose, the faecal material was collected randomly with gloved fingers directly from the rectum region of sheep and goats and the faecal materials were then put in hygienic plastic bottles with 10% formalin. The overall 315 (n=184 sheep and n= 131 goats) faecal samples were collected out of 315 samples, 281 were found positive for different parasites. Patterns-wise prevalence of GI parasites of the study area was found. Overall Single parasitism 89.20% (281/315) with 94.0% (173/184) in sheep and 82.43% (108/131) in goats. Double parasitic infection in small ruminant recorded in which Fasciola+ Haemonchus. contortus in sheep were found their prevalence was 25.54% (47/184). While in goats, the double parasitic infection in which Haemonchus contortus+Trichuris spp were found and their prevalence were 23.43% (30/131). The species found in the sample of sheep were includes, i.e., Strongyloides papillosus (41.30%), Heamonchus controtus (21.73%), Trichuris ovis (17.39%), and Fasciola hepatica (13.58%), the corresponding value for goat were Strongyloides spp 33.33% (36/108), Haemonchus spp 28.70%, (27/108), Trichuris spp 25.20% (27/184) and Fasciola spp 10.68% (14/184). The sheep of the study area are more infected as compared to goats. This study suggested that gastrointestinal parasites are major health problems of small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, a comprehensive study on species of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in the area, control options, cost-effective strategies and awareness about gastrointestinal parasites among the farmers in the study area should be instituted.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Entamoeba Histolytica Infection Among Schoolchildren From Three Primary Schools In Arsi Town, West Zone, Ethiopia

Entamoeba histolytica is one of the major pathogenic intestinal parasites and is amongst the leading causes of diarrheal illness in children. Around 500 million people are infected worldwide, while 75,000 die of the disease annually. E. histolytica is associated with moderate to severe diarrhoea and increased mortality among children in African countries and negatively affects child growth and development. Malnutrition is also an important contributor to the prevalence of E. histolytica in Ethiopia. It is mostly associated with poor hygiene, poverty, illiteracy, lack of access to potable water, and a hot, humid tropical climate. Thus, the present investigation was aimed to assess the prevalence rate and associated factors of E. histolytica among schoolchildren in Arsi Town, West Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1st to May 1st, 2020. A total of 334 students were selected from three governmental elementary schools in the west zone using a systematic sampling method. A structured questionnaire was adopted to identify environmental, socio-demographic, and behavioral factors. Microscopically positive samples for E. histolytica cysts were further characterised using an E. histolytica II antigen detection kit. The statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS software. A univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence of E. histolytica was 19.8%. Hand washing habits before eating [AOR = 0.32; 95% CI (0.12, 0.84)], hand washing habits after defecation [AOR = 0.396; 95% CI (0.165, 0.946)], and ameba awareness [AOR = 0.35; 95% CI (0.142, 0.889)] were factors associated with parasite prevalence.

EFFICACY OF IVERMACTIN AGANIST SOME NATURALLY ACQUIRED GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION IN MULES

The activity of a single subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at dose of 200 mcg/kg of body weight was evaluated against naturally acquired gastro-intestinal parasites in mules. Faecal samples were examined at the time of treatment and weekly thereafter up to 4 weeks. Results indicated that invrmectin was highly effective (100%) against Oxyuries equi, Strongyloides westeri, Tristostronglus axei, Trichhonema spp., and Strongylus spp. as judged one week after ivermectin administration. Complete elimination of Parascaris equorum eggs occurred two weeks after treatment. In contrast, ivermectin was not effective against the tape worms, Anoplocephala spp.. Infected animals had low levels of haemoglobin and red blood cells counts and an elevated packed cell volume, white blood cells and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These values returned to normal values 21 days post treatment. No adverse reaction was recorded in the treated animals.

Use of FAMACHA to Detect Anaemia and Control of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Goats of A and N Islands, India

Background: FAffaMAlanCHArt (FAMACHA) is a technique for treating the animals infested with gastrointestinal parasites by using clinical anaemia as the determinant. The test is based on the assessment of colour variation of the conjunctival mucous membrane. Methods: In the present study FAMACHA has been standardized and used to correlate the anaemic status of goats with faecal egg count (gastro intestinal parasites) and blood profile. On the basis of FAMACHA score and faecal egg count, the goats were treated with benzimidazole compound and macrocyclic lactone. Result: The result indicated significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in the faecal egg count of Haemonchus spp from 1200±155.76 to 525±75, Strongyloides spp from 469.57±77.37 to 78.26±33.83 and Eimeria spp from 900±240.05 to 195.65±55.34 respectively. FAMACHA score of anaemic goats improved from 4.08±0.11 to 3.2±0.13. Mean haemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) improved from 8.33 to 8.99, 22.66 to 24.86, 13.73 to 14.76 and 18029 to 19894, respectively which indicated clinical improvement. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) correlation was observed between the FAMACHA score and the haemoglobin level. It could be concluded that FAMACHA is a very handy tool to detect anaemic status of the animals and correlate with gastrointestinal parasitic load.

Magnitude and associated factors of Intestinal Parasitosis and Tuberculosis among Tuberculosis suspected patients attending Kuyu General Hospital, North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background Intestinal parasites and Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection is a major public health problem. The parasitic infection suppresses the cell mediated immunity that protects tuberculosis. Helminthes-induced immune modulation promotes progression to active tuberculosis. However, there is paucity of evidences on the intestinal parasites-tuberculosis co-infection in Ethiopia. This study explores the magnitude and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection and TB among suspected pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was conducted in Kuyu General Hospital from December 2019—March 2020. The socio-demographic data and associated factors were collected by structured questionnaire and then spot-spot sputum and fresh stool samples were collected following standard guidelines and were processed. Descriptive analysis was conducted and reported in frequency and percentage. Bivariate analysis was computed and a multivariable analysis was conducted to provide an adjusted odds ratio (AOR). P-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant. Results The burden of intestinal parasites was 20.2% (49/ 242) and 6.1% (20/ 242) of them were helminths infections and 14.1% (29/ 242) were protozoa infections. Of 242 patients, 14.9% (36/242) were sputum smear-positive for acid fast-bacilli. Of 36 smear positive patients, 9(25%) had TB–intestinal parasites co-infection. Dwelling in rural areas and having untrimmed fingernails were statistically significantly associated with intestinal parasites. Having a contact history of Tb patients was significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions The magnitude of intestinal parasites and TB among PTB suspected patients were high. Hookworm infection was the predominant helmenthic infection. It is important to consider screening TB patients for intestinal parasites and treat co-infection properly.

Prevalence of Hymenolepis spp. in House Mice in Baghdad City, Iraq

The prevalence of house mice (Mus musculus) Hymenolepiasis was determined in Baghdad, Iraq to study the effects of location, sex, and months on the infection rate of Hymenolepis spp. in house mice. Fifty house mice were captured from Abu Ghraib and Al-Ameriya, Baghdad, Iraq and examined for detecting parasites in laboratory in College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad. The total infection prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11 (22%) out of 50 samples, the higher prevalence was 28.57% and found in Abu Ghraib area, while lower was (13.63%) and recorded in Al-Ameriya area. The study revealed that the house mice were infected with two species of Hymenolepis: Hymenolepis nana 4 (8%) and Hymenolepis diminuta 7(14%). The intestinal parasites revealed a significance prevalence value (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in between males and females in parasites infection, in which the higher rate was 8 (27.58%) and recorded in males and the lower was 3 (14.28%) and observed in females. The monthly distribution of confirmed cases over a 9-month period revealed that reported cases of house mice and Hymenolepiasis increased significantly (P<0.01) in autumn (65.44%), followed by winter (15.38%), and summer (13.33%). The findings showed that house mice play an important role in the spread of zoonotic parasitic illnesses to people, as well as attention must pay to public health.

Conventional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, and Biological Activities of Euphorbia officinarum L.: A Systematic Review

The Moroccan endemic plant Euphorbia officinarum is a traditional medicinal plant, known locally as “Daghmus.” Plants in the genus Euphorbia are well known for the chemical diversity of their diterpenoids and isoprenoid constituents, which perform many activities such as cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as different biological properties, that cannot be overlooked. The effect of bioactive compounds (antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antioxidant). Euphorbia officinarum is an important conventional medicine for the treatment of various conditions, including skin and ophthalmological diseases. It is also used against human pathogens (intestinal parasites). E. officinarum latex is the major part of the plant used for conventional medicine and synthesizing new bioactive compounds. The characterization and isolation of its components are necessary to exploiting and enhancing its therapeutic potential. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review is available to date. In order to have and define a research question, we adopt a strategy by considering the items of the PRISMA checklist. Therefore, this review aims to cover E. officinarum taxonomy, botanical description, distribution, conventional uses, and phytochemical compounds of this plant, including the biological activities of compounds isolated and of these semisynthesized compounds. This article provides a foundation for any further studies from this plant.

Parasite-Probiotic Interactions in the Gut: Bacillus sp. and Enterococcus faecium Regulate Type-2 Inflammatory Responses and Modify the Gut Microbiota of Pigs During Helminth Infection

Dietary probiotics may enhance gut health by directly competing with pathogenic agents and through immunostimulatory effects. These properties are recognized in the context of bacterial and viral pathogens, but less is known about interactions with eukaryotic pathogens such as parasitic worms (helminths). In this study we investigated whether two probiotic mixtures (comprised of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, and Enterococcus faecium [BBE], or Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies Lactis Bb12 [LB]) could modulate helminth infection kinetics as well as the gut microbiome and intestinal immune responses in pigs infected with the nodular worm Oesophagostomum dentatum. We observed that neither probiotic mixture influenced helminth infection levels. BBE, and to a lesser extent LB, changed the alpha- and beta-diversity indices of the colon and fecal microbiota, notably including an enrichment of fecal Bifidobacterium spp. by BBE. However, these effects were muted by concurrent O. dentatum infection. BBE (but not LB) significantly attenuated the O. dentatum-induced upregulation of genes involved in type-2 inflammation and restored normal lymphocyte ratios in the ileo-caecal lymph nodes that were altered by infection. Moreover, inflammatory cytokine release from blood mononuclear cells and intestinal lymphocytes was diminished by BBE. Collectively, our data suggest that selected probiotic mixtures can play a role in maintaining immune homeostasis during type 2-biased inflammation. In addition, potentially beneficial changes in the microbiome induced by dietary probiotics may be counteracted by helminths, highlighting the complex inter-relationships that potentially exist between probiotic bacteria and intestinal parasites.

Comparative Study of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Owerri, Nigeria: A Case Study of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri

A survey of intestinal parasites of pregnant and non-pregnant women attending the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria was carried out between November 2010 and April 2011. A total of 300 samples (150 from pregnant women and 150 from non – pregnant women respectively) were randomly collected from these women who attended the hospital. The samples were examined using the direct wet preparation and formol ether concentration technique. A total of 41 (13.67%) women were infected. The infected stool samples contained eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (48.78%), Hookworm (39.02%), and Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica (12.20%). Although, more pregnant women (16(39.02%)), the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence of 20% was observed in the pregnant women within the age – group of 27-30 while the age group of 19-22 years. The difference between the prevalence of infection in the age group was significant. However personal hygiene improved health education programs and supervised public toilets together with food vendor's education have been recommended as measures to eradicate intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant and non-pregnant women. It has been recommended that stool analysis should be part of the antenatal screening tests particularly in subjects with a high level of parasitemia.