The aim of this study was (i) to compare levels of accumulated heavy metals in the fox intestines with and without parasites. Moreover, our research also dealt with (ii) examination of the relationship between heavy metal content in fox intestines and between the presence of fox intestinal parasites. The intestines of 34 hunter-killed foxes were dissected to detect the occurrence of parasites. In 15 intestinal samples, parasitic intestinal helminths were found. Heavy metal content in small intestine tissue and in parasites was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The prevalence of parasites was significantly dependent on Cd content in the host's small intestine (p < 0.01). To conclude, the authors suggest that parasites are sensitive to Cd levels; their prevalence in the intestines of the fox host decreases to zero with increasing Cd content.

• Klíčová slova
• accumulation, intestinal parasites, metals, red fox,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Histological sections of 414 appendices were examined parasitologically. Enterobius vermicularis was found in 8.7%, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides in 0.5%, trophozites of Dientamoeba fragilis in 4.8%, Endolimax nana in 2.2%, Entamoeba coli in 1% and cysts of Giardia intestinalis in 1.9% of cases. Appendicopathies associated with Enterobius were most frequent in the age group from 6 to 10 years (24.3%) and from 21 to 25 years (12.2%). Patients older than 15 years were practically women only. Dientamoeba was most frequent in the age group from 11 to 15 years (11.3%). In women D. fragilis was three times more frequent than in men. The coincidence of D. fragilis and E. vermicularis infections was 50%. No interactions were seen between the protozoans in the contents of the appendix and its mucous membrane. Statistical evaluation indicates possible etiologic role of E. vermicularis in the occurrence of acute appendicities. D. fragilis appears to be the most common intestinal protozoan parasite in Bohemia.

• MeSH
• apendix parazitologie   MeSH
• Ascaris izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Dientamoeba izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• Enterobius izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Eukaryota izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Československo epidemiologie   MeSH

Parasitic infections of the South China tigers in the Meihua Mountains have not been explored previously. Faeces of 22 South China tigers from the China Tiger Park in the Meihua Mountains were examined. Eggs of ascaridoid nematodes and oocysts of coccidia were detected by Mini-FLOTAC assay. Morphological observation and molecular characterisation of the oocysts were carried out. The prevalence of Toxascaris leonina (von Linstow, 1902) was 18% (4/22), and the highest egg per gram (EPG) count in the faeces was 27,150. The prevalence of Cystoisospora sp. was 45% (1 0/22) and the highest oocysts per gram (OPG) in the faeces was 6,000. In addition, we found one ascaridoid nematode in the South China tiger's faeces and was molecularly and morphologically identified as T. leonina. The oocysts in the faeces were sporulated in vitro and identified as Cystoisospora sp. Amplification of full-length internal transcribed spacers (ITS) resulted in sequences 1,622 bp long. Using the sequences, Cystoisospora sp. of the South China tiger was closest to Isospora belli (Wenyon, 1923) and Cystoisospora suis (Biester, 1934).

• Klíčová slova
• China, Cystoisospora sp., Felidae, Meihua, Mini-FLOTAC, Mountain, Toxascaris leonina,
• MeSH
• feces MeSH
• hlístice * genetika   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• Toxascaris MeSH
• tygři * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The prevalence of intestinal parasites was evaluated by examination of dog faecal samples in the Prague city centre, agricultural areas, and two shelters. The overall prevalence of parasites (i.e., protozoa and helminths, mentioned below) in Prague was 17.6%. Toxocara canis was the most common parasite, and was recovered from 6.2% of dogs, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (2.4%), Cryptosporidium spp. (1.4%), Trichuris sp. (1.1%), Taenia-type (1.0%), Giardia spp. (0.1%), Toxascaris sp. (0.9%), Dipylidium sp. (0.7%), Sarcocystis spp. (0.6%), Capillaria spp. (0.6%), Neospora/Hammondia spp. (0.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.4%), Uncinaria sp. (0.4%), and Spirocerca sp. (0.2%). The prevalence of infections with helminths and protozoans in two animal shelters in Prague was examined at the dog's admittance ir reception to the shelters and during housing. T. canis eggs (6.5%), Cystoisospora (4.4%), and Giardia (3.3%) cysts were the most prevalent. Significant increases in the prevalence of some parasites were found after a stay in the shelter. Giardia spp. showed an 11-fold increase in prevalence of dogs placed in the shelters for a longer time; Cryptosporidium spp. had a 7-fold increase, Capillaria spp. a 5-fold, Spirocerca sp., Neospora/Hammondia spp., and Cystoisospora spp. a 4-fold increase over dogs examined at the time of admittance to the shelter (p<0.01). Dog in rural areas were infected significantly more frequently (p<0.01) than those in Prague. In 540 faecal samples from rural areas, the overall prevalence of parasites (i.e., protozoa and helminths mentioned below) was 41.7%. The prevalence of T. canis was 13.7%, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (8.0%), Taenia spp. (3.5%), Sarcocystis spp. (3.0%), Giardia spp. (2.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.0%), Trichuris sp. (1.7%), Toxascaris sp. (1.7%), Dipylidium sp. (1.3%), Neospora/Hammondia spp. (1.3%), Spirocerca sp. (1.1%), Uncinaria sp. (0.9%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.7%), and Capillaria spp. (0.6%). Examinations of dogs in urban and rural areas showed, with the exception of Trichuris sp. in Prague, a higher occurrence of nematode infection in autumn, notably T. canis (chi2>8.3, d.f.=3, p<0.04).

• MeSH
• chov zvířat MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci psů epidemiologie   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• protilátky helmintové klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protilátky helmintové MeSH

Fresh stool samples obtained from 1407 adult patients who sought treatment in Takeo province hospital and 332 Takeo preschool and school-age children from 3 to 18 years of age were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites using the technique of native preparation and the flotation method of Faust with subsequent staining with Lugol solution to demonstrate cysts. In hospital patients, a total of 13 protozoan and 9 helminth species were diagnosed. The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica (cysts and trophozoites) was highest in the age group 15-18 years (18.3%), the peak prevalence of Gairdia lamblia (27.6%) occurred in children of the age group 6-9 years. The highest frequency distribution of Pentatrichomonas hominis (20.1%) was recorded in 3 to 5 years old, that of Enteromonas hominis (12.8%) in 6 to 9 years old. The predominant helminth was Ancylostoma duodenale, with the peak prevalence (65.2%) in patients older than 18 years, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis. Almost half of children patients under 6 was infected with at least two species of parasites, patients over 6 were infected simultaneously with two or more intestinal parasites in an absolute majority of cases. In Takeo preschool and school children the spectrum of diagnosed protozoan and helminth species was somewhat narrower than seen in hospital patients, but their prevalence rates were higher, except for the flagellate Pentatrichomonas hominis. The highest prevalence rates recorded were for E. histolytica 29.5% (age category 10-14 years), for G. lamblia 34.8% (age category 6-9 years), for P. hominis 19.3% (age category 3-5 years), for E. hominis 10.5% (age category 3-5 years), for A. duodenale 85.9% (age category 15-18 years), for A. lumbricoides 26.1% (age category 6-9 years), and for S. stercoralis 18.8% (age category 6-9 years). As many as 70% of children at the age between 6 and 15 years were simultaneously infected with two or three species of intestinal parasites.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• Eukaryota izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• nemoci střev epidemiologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• protozoální infekce epidemiologie   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Československo MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM/parasitology *, HELMINTHIASIS/in infancy and childhood *,
• MeSH
• dětské jesle * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• gastrointestinální trakt parazitologie   MeSH
• helmintóza * MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev * MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• školky * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Problems with parasitic infections and their interspecies transmissions are common in zoological gardens and could pose serious health damage to captive animals. This study presents results of eight-year monitoring of intestinal parasites in animals from Zoo Ljubljana, Slovenia. A total of 741 faecal samples from 40 animal species were collected two to four times per year and examined microscopically. Intestinal parasites were detected in 45% of samples, with detection of helminths (Cestoda, Nematoda - Ascaridida, Enoplida, Strongylida, Oxyurida, Rhabditida and Trichurida) and protists (Apicomplexa and Ciliophora) in 25% and 13% of samples, respectively; mixed infection was found in 7% of samples. The mostly infected were ungulates (61%), followed by reptiles (44%), ratites (29%), primates (22%) and carnivores (7%). During the observation period, the number of infected animal species increased from 8 to 25. This is the first long-term monitoring study of intestinal parasites in zoo animals from Slovenia. Routine monitoring of parasitic infection and regular deworming and hygienic measures are necessary to prevent gastrointestinal infections in captive animals.

• Klíčová slova
• coprology, helminths, long-term monitoring, protists, zoo animals,
• MeSH
• Carnivora parazitologie   MeSH
• cizopasní červi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• helmintózy zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Palaeognathae MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• plazi parazitologie   MeSH
• primáti parazitologie   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of intestinal parasitic diseases (IPD) and associated factors in primary school students and to assess the knowledge and practices of mothers about these diseases. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in January-March 2014 in 471 students aged 5-11 years, studying at 3 schools randomly selected from the city centre regions with different socioeconomic levels. Stratified sampling method was used in the present study and the data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, parents were informed about the study and pre-prepared questionnaire forms were used to collect the data about the students and parents. In the second stage, laboratory analyses of collected stool samples were performed. RESULTS: The total prevalence of IPD was 18.3%, it was higher in the primary school located in a region with a lower socioeconomic level compared to other two schools (27.6% vs. 14.4%, and 10%, respectively). Most commonly detected parasite was E. vermicularis (12.1%). The prevalence of IPD was not associated with the classroom, gender, number of siblings, and the use of purified drinking water at home, while it was found to decrease with the increasing maternal education level. The maternal knowledge level score was 12.01±4.29 vs. 13.41±3.94 in students with and without IPD, respectively. With regard to the methods used to treat IPD, 23% of the mothers reported that they are using conventional methods. CONCLUSION: The health education programmes about the associated risk factors are of great importance for early detection and treatment of childhood parasitic infections.

• Klíčová slova
• intestinal parasitic diseases, prevalence, students, traditional practices,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• městské obyvatelstvo MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Turecko epidemiologie   MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• HELMINTH INFECTIONS/epidemiology *,
• MeSH
• cizopasní červi * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• helmintóza epidemiologie   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev * MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

In Slovakia, the Roma population forms the second-largest ethnic minority. A large part of the Roma is semi-nomadic or lives in segregated settlements with poor living standards and limited access to health facilities. More than 40 years ago, a cross-sectional survey revealed a high prevalence of parasitic infections. There is a paucity of recent data, and hence, we designed a study to investigate the current status of intestinal parasitic infections in this population. Overall, 259 children aged 7 months to 18 years from 32 different segregated settlements provided faecal samples for microscopic examination using a sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin concentration and the Paraprep L technique. Almost 40% of the samples yielded a positive result, with Ascaris lumbricoides (27.4%) and Giardia intestinalis (9.3%) being the most frequent helminth and intestinal protozoa species, respectively. Many children younger than 2 years were found to be infected, which suggests that community transmission is important. In view of our findings, there is a pressing need for targeted action to improve the health status of this neglected population.

• Klíčová slova
• Cross-sectional survey, Diagnosis, Intestinal parasites, Paraprep L, Roma, Slovakia, Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) concentration technique,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• etnicita MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• formaldehyd MeSH
• giardiáza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• helmintóza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• menšiny MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• paraziti MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• formaldehyd MeSH