Prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans in Iran

For evaluation of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans in Iran, fecal specimens from diarrheic (n = 129) and non-diarrheic humans (n = 271) were collected and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was determined by Ziehl- Neelsen acid-fast staining. Humans were grouped according to their age as follows: younger than 15, 16-25, 26-35, 36-50, and over 51 years. The results showed that the overall prevalence of infection in all 400 samples was 10.8%, but the prevalence (25.6%) in diarrheic humans was higher than that (3.7%) in non-diarrheic humans. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. were detected in the feces of 21.4%, 9.3%, 8.8%, 6.7% and 5.7% of different age groups, respectively. The intensity of oocysts was significantly higher in diarrheic humans than in non-diarrheic ones. There was a significant association between Cryptosporidium sp. infection and occurrence of diarrhea (P < 0.05). The results indicate that Cryptosporidium sp. infection is prevalent in diarrheic humans in Iran.     

Evaluation of a rapid ELISA technique for detection of circulating antigens of Toxoplasma gondii

To evaluate a modified rapid ELISA method for detecting CAg during Toxoplasma gondii infection, we analyzed the specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA method by using experimental Toxoplasma infection in rabbits and also tested this method in human samples including 5428 serum, 548 cerebrospinal fluid and two breast milk samples. We prepared PcAb, and used it for rapid one-step sandwich ELISA testing in which an incubation time in the regular ELISA procedure was omitted. This method detected CAg at the concentration of 31.2 ng/mL, and no cross-reaction was found with antigens of protozoa (Cryptosporidium parvum, Plasmodium falciparum), trematode (Schistosoma japonicum, Paragonimus sp.) and nematode (Brugia malayi, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichinella spiralis). CAg was detected in rabbit serum 3 days after infection, and optical density values reached a peak 9-13 days after infection, then declined gradually. Among human serum samples, the positive rate of CAg was 2.11% in cerebral paralysis patients, whereas it was 0.22% or 0.71% in patients without neurological symptoms or in uncomplicated pregnant women. The difference among these three groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The positive rate of cerebrospinal fluid samples from cerebral paralysis patients was 10.58%. There is a statistically significant difference between the positive rates of meat-packing workers and blood donors (P < 0.01). In the retrospective analysis, CAg was detected in accordance with the onset of clinical symptoms, suggesting that CAg could reflect the clinical course in humans. Together with these results, CAg detected in the modified rapid sandwich ELISA could be a sensitive marker for acute and active infection of T. gondii.     

The role of breast milk in protecting urban Peruvian children against cryptosporidiosis.

To test the hypothesis that breast milk of nursing mothers may afford children protection against cryptosporidiosis, a prospective cohort study was carried out in the young peoples' community of San Juan de Miraflores near Lima, Peru. Mothers and newborn children were sorted into cohort groups based on the mothers' breast milk antibody response to Cryptosporidium sporozoites using an antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect parasite-specific immunoglobulin A. Children were monitored for Cryptosporidium infection using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Of 211 mothers enrolled in the study, 39 (18.5%) had high breast milk antibody titers, 107 (50.7%) had medium titers, and 65 (30.8%) had low titers. Sixty-one episodes of Cryptosporidium infection were detected in 50 children of these mothers. Eleven (22%) had mothers in the high antibody titer group, 20 (40%) had mothers in the medium titer group, and 19 (38%) had mothers in the low titer group. The prevalence of infection within children of each group was 0.17, 0.19 and 0.38 respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence or duration of infection among children of the different groups. The data does not support the notion that there is protection from Cryptosporidium infection afforded children whose mothers have demonstrable breast milk antibodies against the parasite.     

义乌地区儿童过敏性结膜炎过敏原分析

目的了解过敏性结膜炎患儿常见过敏原及其分布特征,为预防和脱敏治疗提供依据。方法采用免疫印迹法对363例过敏性结膜炎患儿进行血清过敏原检测,并对结果进行分组比较。结果患儿中检出率居前3位的吸入性过敏原分别为尘螨(50.41%)、猫毛(3.03%)和霉菌(2.48%);检出率居前3位的食物性过敏原分别为淡水鱼(10.74%)、海鱼(7.44%)和鸡蛋白(6.34%)。吸入性过敏原(62.26%)和食物性过敏原(41.60%)总检出率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。婴幼儿组、学龄前组和学龄组患儿均以尘螨为常见过敏原,其检出率分别为33.33%、52.76%和52.00%。不同年龄患儿牛奶过敏检出率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),婴幼儿组牛奶过敏检出率最高,为12.82%。男、女患儿过敏原阳性率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。不同年龄患儿过敏原阳性率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。婴幼儿组、学龄前组和学龄组患儿均以单纯吸入性过敏原和单一过敏原为常见。1月-3月为儿童过敏性结膜炎的低发季节。结论通过血清过敏原检测可明确过敏性结膜炎的过敏原。尘螨是本地区儿童过敏性结膜炎常见过敏原。     

Cryptosporidium scophthalmi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) from cultured turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Light and electron microscope description and histopathological study

Cryptosporidium scophthalmi n. sp. is described from the turbot Scophthalmus maximus L., sampled from different farms on the coast of NW Spain. The parasite was found mainly in the intestinal epithelium and very seldom in the stomach. Oocysts were almost spherical, with 4 naked sporozoites and a residuum, and measured 3.7-5.03 x 3.03-4.69 microm (mean 4.44 x 3.91) (shape index 1.05-1.34, mean 1.14). Sporulation was endogenous, as fully sporulated oocysts were found within the intestinal epithelium, lumen and faeces. Merogonial and gamogonial stages were in the typical extracytoplasmic position, whereas sporogonial stages were deep within the epithelium. Oocysts and other stages of C. scophthalmi comply with most of the diagnostic features of the genus Cryptosporidium, but differ from all hitherto described species. Ultrastructural features, including the characteristic feeding organelle, were mainly comparable with those of other Cryptosporidium species. Mitochondria were frequently observed in sporozoites. Infection prevalence was very variable, and juvenile fish were most frequently and intensively parasitised. External clinical signs were not detected, although some fish showed intestinal distension at necropsy. The marked histopathological damage occurring in severe infection includes distension of epithelial cells by large vacuoles, containing clusters of oocysts, and can lead to sloughing of epithelial cell remnants and oocysts or even detachment of intestinal mucosa. An inflammatory reaction involving leucocyte infiltration was sometimes observed.     

Metabolic acidosis and infant feeding.

Most cows'' milk based formulae for infant feeding present a greater acid load to the infant than breast milk. To determine the effect of this difference the acid base state of 180 healthy term infants was measured on the sixth day of life and related to the type of feed. Those infants fed on cows'' milk formula (SMA) had a mean pH of 7-34 +/- 0-05 and a base deficit of 8-8 +/- 3-1, while those fed on breast milk had a mean pH of 7-38 +/- 0-05 and a base deficit of 5-6 +/- 3-1. The difference between the two groups of infants was significant for both these measurements. Metabolic acidosis was defined as a base deficit greater than 10 mmol/l. Seventy-four per cent of the 34 infants who were acidotic at six days were bottle-fed. There was a significant correlation between the pH of the feed and the degree of acidosis in the infant as measured by the base deficit. The findings suggest that when breast milk is not available a pH-adjusted milk formula would be desirable for preventing and treating neonatal metabolic acidosis.     

Group A Rotavirus as a Cause of Neonatal Calf Enteritis in Sweden

Faeces samples were collected during outbreaks of neonatal calf diarrhoea in 14 beef and dairy herds. Samples from 33 calves were taken at the onset of diarrhoea as well as from 30 calves with no signs of enteritis. No vaccines or medical treatment had previously been given. The mean age of the calves was 16.8 days (SD 8.2). The clinical evaluation of faeces consistency corresponded well to the dry matter content of the faeces (p<0.001). The samples were analyzed for rotavirus, Cryptosporidium species and Escherichia coli K99+. Group A rotavirus was detected by ELISA and RNA Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (RNA-PAGE) in 14/33 (43.8%) of the samples from scouring calves and 1/30 (3.7%) of the samples from non-scouring calves. The correlation between group A rotavirus and diarrhoea was statistically significant (p<0.001). No non-group A rotaviruses were found by RNA-PAGE. Cryptosporidium species were detected through demonstration of oocysts in smears from 12/63 (19.0%) of the faecal samples, but no statistically significant correlation between diarrhoea and detection of oocysts was demonstrated. Escherichia coli K99+ was not detected in any faeces sample. The clear association between group A rotavirus and diarrhoea is suggested to be due to low pathogenic load in the herds.     

Body fat of British and Dutch infants.

The fatty acids in the body fat of 41 British and 37 Dutch infants between birth and 1 year were determined. At birth linoleic acid contributed 1-3% of the total fatty acids of the body fat in infants in both countries. By one month its proportion in the fat of the Dutch infants was about 25% and by four months 32-37%; in the fat of the British infants it was never more than 3%. In the Dutch infants this large increase in the linoleic acid percentage was accompanied by a fall in the percentage contribution of others, particularly the saturated acids myristic, palmitic, and stearic. Infants born preterm showed changes in their fat after birth similar to those in fullterm infants. The difference between the composition of the fat of the infants in the two countries is attributed to the nature of the fat in the milk they received. Until recently most British infants who are not breast-fed have been given milks based on cow''s milk with only minor modifications. For the past 10 years many Dutch infants have been given a milk in which all the cow''s milk fat has been replaced by maize oil. Dutch infants also had a lower concentration of cholesterol in their serum than British infants, which was not unexpected. The results show that the triglycerides in the adipose tissue are profoundly influenced by the nature of the fat in the diet.     

Iodine Status of Preterm Infants Born in an Area of Iodine Sufficiency: Are They at Risk of Iodine Deficiency?

ObjectiveTo the assess the iodine status of preterm infants born in an area of iodine sufficiency using the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and compare these values across different feeding practices during the first 7 days of life.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 88 preterm infants born at 30 to 34 weeks of gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a referral hospital in Tehran (Iran) were included. The infant UIC and TSH levels and breast milk iodine concentration in mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding were measured.ResultsMedian (interquartile range [IQR]) UIC and TSH levels in the study population were 81 (39-189) μg/L and 1.60 (0.80-2.85) mIU/L, respectively. When preterm infants were stratified by the type of feeding, the median (IQR) UICs were 64 (42-126) μg/L in parenteral nutrition, 125 (41-195) μg/L in exclusively breastfeeding, 57 (28-123) μg/L in formula feeding, and 45 (35-132) μg/L in mixed feeding, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = .31). The median (IQR) breast milk iodine concentration was 271 (177-521) μg/L in preterm infants exclusively fed their mothers’ own milk. There was no significant difference in the proportion of the TSH levels of >5 mIU/L between preterm infants who received enteral and parenteral nutrition (P = .27).ConclusionPreterm infants are at risk of iodine deficiency even in an area where the general population has adequate iodine. Only the preterm infants who received exclusively their mothers’ own milk had marginally adequate iodine status. Further studies are warranted to determine the necessity of iodine supplementation for this vulnerable group.     

Cryptosporidiosis in patients with colorectal cancer

Parasitological examination of feces was carried out for 55 patients with diagnosed colorectal cancer before chemotherapy. Except for Cryptosporidium sp., no other intestinal parasites were found in the specimens; moreover, only the patients with watery diarrhea were Cryptosporidium sp.-positive by enzyme immunoassay. Prevalence of infection in the group of patients with diarrhea (23 persons) was 43.5%, whereas it was 18% for the entire group of patients under study. Coproantigens of this parasite were detected primarily in the patients with tumors located on the left side (in the sigmoid and descending colon).     

Cryptosporidiosis in children of Costa Rica: a cross section and longitudinal study

The present report is a systematic study of children, with and without diarrhea from Costa Rican metropolitan areas and southern rural higlands. Children were observed, respectively, at emergencies, Hospital Nacional de Ni?os, and in a field station in Puriscal; urban children were studied vertically, rural children were observed prospectively (cohort study). Cryptosporidium sp. was found in 4.3% of the cases of diarrhea; diarrhea was generally severe in urban children, but mild in the rural. Infection was detected in urban children less than one year of age: contrasting, no rural infants were found infected, which might be related to breast-feeding, since Puriscal infants were intensively breast-fed for several months, while many urban infants were not breast-fed or were weaned earlier. Cryptosporidium sp. appeared during the warm, rainy and humid months of May through August, when the coccidium was associated with 14.8% of the urban and 15.4% of the rural diarrheas. All urban cases presented dehydration which was corrected with oral rehydration salt therapy, and occasionally with intravenous fluids; dehydration was not common in the rural cases.     

Cryptosporidium canis n. sp. from domestic dogs.

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium, from the feces of a naturally infected dog and from an HIV-infected human, were identified as the previously reported canine genotype of Cryptosporidium parvum, hereafter referred to as Cryptosporidium canis n. sp. Also among the oocysts from the dog, a trace amount of C. parvum bovine genotype was detected. Cryptosporidium canis oocysts from both the dog and human were infectious for calves. Oocysts excreted by calf 1 (dog source) were approximately 90% C. canis and 10% C. parvum, whereas those excreted by calf 3 (human source) were 100% C. canis. Oocysts from calf 1 infected calf 2 resulting in excretion by calf 2 of oocysts approximately 90% C. parvum and 10% C. canis. Oocysts of C. canis were not infectious for BALB/c neonatal mice or immunosuppressed C57 juvenile mice, although all control mice became infected with the C. parvum Beltsville isolate. Oocysts of C. canis from calf 1 and the human were structurally indistinguishable from oocysts of the C. parvum Beltsville isolate (bovine). However, C. canis oocysts differed markedly at the molecular level from all known species of Cryptosporidium based on sequence data for the 18S rDNA and the HSP 70 gene. The differences in genetics and host specificity clearly differentiate C. canis as a new species.     

Levels of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) and trace elements (Zn, Cu) in breast milk from mothers of preterm and term infants

It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants, n = 20; group PM: mothers of premature infants, n = 20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0-7 days), transitional (7-14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lbeta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P < .01, P < .001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P < .01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P < .05) and mature milk (21 days) (P < .05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P > .05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P < .01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P > .05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.     

鸡隐孢子虫在安徽的首次定种及感染情况的数学分析

本次调研共采集合肥地区五个大型鸡场的150个新鲜鸡粪便样品,结果在62个粪样中检出了隐孢子虫,总阳性检出率为1.3％。因五个鸡场均发现有隐孢子虫,说明该虫感染在合肥地区较为普遍。不过,各鸡场之间的阳性检出率从10.0%到83.3％高低不等。本研究同时剖检了其中四个鸡场的38只病死鸡尸,发现隐孢子虫的有11只,死鸡感染率为28.9％。通过鉴定,首次认为安徽省有火鸡孢子虫（C.Meleagridis）和贝氏隐孢子虫（C.baileyi)两个虫种。统计分析得知：隐孢子虫的阳性检出率与鸡群的日龄呈一种极显著的抛物线形相关关系;与球虫感染相比,虽然阳性检出率略低,但差异不显著,均可达到同（第）一位（原虫）感染水平;不过,二者之间不存在有直线相关关系。     

Improvement of Expressed Breast Milk in Mothers of Preterm Infants by Recording Breast Milk Pumping Diaries in a Neonatal Center in China

Objectives

Because inadequate expression of human milk (EBM) in mothers of hospitalized infants were noticed in a neonatal center of our hospital, family education program was carried out to increase the EBM.

Methods

A breast milk pumping diary was introduced to the mothers with preterm infant(s) admitted in the NICU. The ratios of EBM (days of EBM to NICU/hospitalized days), breast milk feeding (BMF) (days of infants fed with exclusive human milk/hospitalized days), mixed feeding (MF) (days of infants fed with partial breast milk and partial formula/hospitalized days), and formula feeding (FF) (days of infants fed with preterm formula/hospitalized days) were evaluated.

Results

During January to April, 2014, the ratios of EBM to the NICU, BMF, MF and FF were 28.11%, 6.6%, 32.8% and 60.6%, respectively. After the introduction of breast milk pumping diary to the mothers from May 2014, the ratio of EBM to the NICU increased significantly to 53.3% (p<0.01) within the following eight months. Both the ratios of BMF and MF also rose to 23.8% and MF 55.3%, respectively. Consequently, the ratio of FF was reduced to 20.9%. Exclusive breast milk feeding also significantly reduce the duration of nil per oral (NPO) of the very low birth weight infants during hospital stay as compared to those fed with mixed feeding and formula feeding.

Conclusion

The introduction of a breast milk pumping diary was associated with a significant increase in the intake of EBM of the hospitalized preterm newborns.     

Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. infections in mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

For conservation purposes and because of growing ecotourism, some mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) populations have been habituated to humans. Fecal specimens (n = 100) of nonhabituated and human-habituated gorillas (5 populations; 6 age classes) were tested for Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts by conventional staining and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA). Cryptosporidium sp. infections (prevalence 11%) were not restricted to very young gorillas but were observed in 3-yr-old to >12-yr-old gorillas; most of the infections (73%) occurred in human-habituated gorillas. The prevalence of Giardia sp. infections was 2%; 1 nonhabituated gorilla was concomitantly infected. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. in the gorilla stools were morphologically, morphometrically, and immunologically undistinguishable from a bovine isolate of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Mean concentration of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts in gorilla stools was 9.39x10(4)/g, and 2.49x10(4)/g, respectively. There was no apparent relationship between oocyst concentration and gorilla age, sex, or habituation status. Most Cryptosporidium sp. infections found in gorillas with closest proximity to people may be a result of the habituation process and ecotourism. This study constitutes the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. infections in the family Pongidae, in the free-ranging great apes, and in the species of gorilla.     

Breast-feeding protects against respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Eight out of 115 infants admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection had been breast-fed compared with 46 out of 167 controls; this difference was statistically significant. Twenty-one specimens of human colostrum were examined, and all contained RS virus neutralising activity. Specific IgA and IgG were detected in 18 specimens, whereas IgM was detected in none. The titre of IgA antibody was usually higher and correlated more closely to the titre of neutralising activity than that of IgG. Infants inhale milk feeds and regurgitate them through the nose, and the IgA collecting in the respiratory tract might protect against severe respiratory infection. Alternatively, if severe RS virus illness is a sign of hypersensitivity to the virus breast-feeding might protect the infant from an early sensitising infection.     

Chronic undernutrition and traditional weaning foods are associated with fat stores in ariaal infants of Northern Kenya

The high proportion of human infant fat is hypothesized to protect infant brains by mobilizing against growth disturbances caused by acute nutritional and pathogen stress during weaning. However, individuals who experience chronic nutritional stress have been shown to store fat rather than mobilize fat stores, although this has not been demonstrated during infancy. This study investigated the relationship between fat development, diet, and nutritional status among 239 breastfeeding Ariaal infants, a group of settled pastoralists who experience both acute and chronic nutritional stress residing in Marsabit District, Kenya. This study had three goals: 1) To investigate the pattern of fat accumulation among Ariaal infants compared with a reference population; 2) to explore the relationship between chronic nutritional stress and fat deposits; and 3) to determine the relationship between traditional weaning foods, particularly cow's milk, and infant's fat. Infants, particularly infants experiencing chronic nutritional stress, were found to accumulate fat deposits in a manner that suggests reduced oxidation of fat stores. Infant upper arm fat area significantly increases with age over the weaning period compared with reference populations, who show a decline in body fat. Chronically undernourished infants were particularly likely to have increased levels of upper arm fat compared with normal infants or acutely undernourished infants. In addition, infants who consume cow's milk are significantly fatter than those that do not. These results suggest that Ariaal infants have both physiological and cultural mechanisms for fat storage in the face of their nutritionally stressed environment. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:286–296, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mercury Concentration in the Breast Milk of Iranian Women

Human milk is usually the only source of food for infants during the first 4 to 5 months of their life. In this research, 80 human milk samples were collected from mothers in Tehran, Noushahr and the countryside of Tabriz, Iran, who were not occupationally exposed to mercury. The mean concentration of mercury in breast milk obtained from mothers in the countryside of Tabriz, Noushahr and Tehran was 0.86, 0.15 and 0.12 μg/L, respectively. There was a significant difference in mercury concentration in human breast milk between that from the countryside of Tabriz with that from Tehran and Noushahr. Only 3.7% of infant samples (three infants) had mercury concentration higher than normal versus the WHO recommended limit (0.5 μg g(-1)). The fish consumption of these mothers in Tehran and Noushahr was a factor that significantly affected the mercury concentration in their breast milk. Also, their age affected the mercury levels in breast milk (p = 0.04).