Fri, Feb 21, 2025
Volume 18, Issue 3 (May-Jun 2024)
mljgoums 2024, 18(3): 36-38 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Shad M, Pangh A H, Tohidi F. Assessment of parasitic contamination in the soil of public parks Gorgan city. mljgoums 2024; 18 (3) :36-38
URL: http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/article-1-1756-en.html
URL: http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/article-1-1756-en.html
1- Infectious Disease Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Infectious Disease Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran ,tohidi66@yahoo.ca
2- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Infectious Disease Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran ,
Abstract: (1196 Views)
Background: Soil contamination with parasites poses a significant and concerning risk for the transmission of parasitic infections to humans and animals. Considering the crucial role of soil as a potential source of parasite transmission, this study aimed to investigate the presence of helminth and protozoan parasites in the soil of public parks in Gorgan City.
Methods: In this study, a total of 80 soil samples were collected from 16 public parks in Gorgan City in 2022. The soil samples were collected from various areas within the parks, including flower-making, children's play areas, walking paths, sitting areas, and garbage dumps. To isolate the parasites from the soil samples, a saturated solution of sodium nitrate was utilized. The samples were carefully examined under a microscope, and all isolates were stained and subjected to further investigation using special acid-fast stain.
Results: Toxocara eggs were the most commonly detected parasite, present in 40% of the samples (n=32). Coccidia oocysts were found in 12.5% of the samples (n=10), which could potentially be Sarcocystis or Toxoplasma oocysts. Mites were also detected in 12.5% of the samples (n=10). Additionally, Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified using Ziehl-Neelsen's modified staining method, and they were found in 10% of the samples (n=8).
Conclusion: Health education plays a vital role in raising awareness about preventive measures. Collecting reservoirs of parasites (Such as dogs and cats) and planning for the proper disposal of human waste also play an important role in prevention of this disease.
Methods: In this study, a total of 80 soil samples were collected from 16 public parks in Gorgan City in 2022. The soil samples were collected from various areas within the parks, including flower-making, children's play areas, walking paths, sitting areas, and garbage dumps. To isolate the parasites from the soil samples, a saturated solution of sodium nitrate was utilized. The samples were carefully examined under a microscope, and all isolates were stained and subjected to further investigation using special acid-fast stain.
Results: Toxocara eggs were the most commonly detected parasite, present in 40% of the samples (n=32). Coccidia oocysts were found in 12.5% of the samples (n=10), which could potentially be Sarcocystis or Toxoplasma oocysts. Mites were also detected in 12.5% of the samples (n=10). Additionally, Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified using Ziehl-Neelsen's modified staining method, and they were found in 10% of the samples (n=8).
Conclusion: Health education plays a vital role in raising awareness about preventive measures. Collecting reservoirs of parasites (Such as dogs and cats) and planning for the proper disposal of human waste also play an important role in prevention of this disease.
Research Article: Research Article |
Subject:
Parasitology
Received: 2023/12/7 | Accepted: 2024/01/3 | Published: 2024/06/26 | ePublished: 2024/06/26
Received: 2023/12/7 | Accepted: 2024/01/3 | Published: 2024/06/26 | ePublished: 2024/06/26
References
1. Pullan RL, Smith JL, Jasrasaria R, Brooker SJ. Global numbers of infection and disease burden of soil transmitted helminth infections in 2010. Parasites & vectors. 2014; 7(1): 1-19. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
2. Martínez-Moreno F, Hernández S, López-Cobos E, Becerra C, Acosta I, Martínez-Moreno A. Estimation of canine intestinal parasites in Cordoba (Spain) and their risk to public health. Veterinary parasitology. 2007; 143(1): 7-13. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
3. Marques JP, Guimarães CdR, Boas AV, Carnaúba PU, Moraes Jd. Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 2012; 54: 267-71. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
4. Mandarino-Pereira A, de Souza FS, Lopes CWG, Pereira MJS. Prevalence of parasites in soil and dog feces according to diagnostic tests. Veterinary parasitology. 2010; 170(1-2): 176-81. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
5. De Silva NR, Brooker S, Hotez PJ, Montresor A, Engels D, Savioli L. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: updating the global picture. Trends in parasitology. 2003; 19(12): 547-51. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
6. Ross AG, Olveda RM, McManus DP, Harn DA, Chy D, Li Y, et al. Risk factors for human helminthiases in rural Philippines. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2017;54:150-5. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
7. Arora D, Arora B. Medical Parasitology. New Delhi. Bangalore India. CBS Publishers and Distributors. 2009; 63-66 [View at Publisher]
8. Waenlor W, Wiwanitkit V. Soil examination for soil-transmitted parasite: Importance and experience from Thailand. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2007;2(01): [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
9. Davies C, Altavilla N, Krogh M, Ferguson C, Deere D, Ashbolt N. Environmental inactivation of Cryptosporidium oocysts in catchment soils. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2005; 98(2): 308-17. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
10. Shola K, Majekodunmi R, Adeyinka E. Soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children in rural communities of Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. African Journal of microbiology research. 2013; 7(45): 5148-53. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
11. Adam R. Biology of Giardia lamblia. Clin Microbiol. Rev. 2001;14(3):447-75. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
12. Tavalla M, Oormazdi H, Akhlaghi L, Razmjou E, Lakeh MM, Shojaee S, et al. Prevalence of parasites in soil samples in Tehran public places. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2012; 11(20): 4575-8. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
13. Nunes CM, Sinhorini IL, Ogassawara S. Influence of soil texture in the recovery of Toxocara canis eggs by a flotation method. Veterinary Parasitology. 1994;53(3-4):269-74. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
14. Lindsay DS, Dubey J, Blagburn BL. Biology of Isospora spp. from humans, nonhuman primates, and domestic animals. Clinical microbiology reviews. 1997;10(1):19-34. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
15. Aspinall TV, Guy EC, Roberts KE, Joynson DH, Hyde JE, Sims PF. Molecular evidence for multiple Toxoplasma gondii infections in individual patients in England and Wales: public health implications. International journal for parasitology. 2003;33(1):97-103. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
16. Dubey JP, Jenkins MC, Thayer DW, Kwok OC, Shen SK. Killing of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by irradiation and protective immunity induced by vaccination with irradiated oocysts. J Parasitol. 1996; 82(5): 724-7. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
17. Dubey J, Thayer D, Speer C, Shen S. Effect of gamma irradiation on unsporulated and sporulated Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. International Journal for Parasitology. 1998; 28(3): 369-75. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
18. Ruiz A, Frenkel J. Intermediate and transport hosts of Toxoplasma gondii in Costa Rica. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 1980; 29(6): 1161-6. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
19. Aramini JJ, Stephen C, Dubey J, Engelstoft C, Schwantje H, Ribble C. Potential contamination of drinking water with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Epidemiology & Infection. 1999;122(2):305-15. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
20. Sponseller JK, Griffiths JK, Tzipori S. The evolution of respiratory cryptosporidiosis: evidence for transmission by inhalation. Clinical microbiology reviews. 2014; 27(3): 575-86. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
21. Gharavi MJ. Laboratory of Clinical Parasitology. 2th ed. Tehran:Timurzadeh Novin;1391. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
22. Mohaghegh MA, Jafari R, Ghomashlooyan M, Mirzaei F, Azami M, Falahati M, et al. Soil contamination with oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in Isfahan, Central Iran. International Journal of Enteric Pathogens. 2015;3(3):30-4. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
23. Ghomashlooyan M, Falahati M, Mohaghegh MA, Jafari R, Mirzaei F, Kalani H, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in the public parks of Isfahan City, Central Iran. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2015; 5: S93-S5. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
24. Heshmat F, Yousefi HA, Tolouei S, Pestehchian N. Prevalence of coccidians and helminthes ova in soil samples from public places in Isfahan City, Iran, 2016. Journal of Isfahan Medical School. 2017; 35(431): 577-82. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
25. Zibaei M, Abdollahpour F, Birjandi M, Firoozeh F. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in the public parks from three areas of Khorram Abad, Iran. Nepal med coll J. 2010; 12(2): 63-5. [View at Publisher] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
26. Maraghi S, Mazhab Jafari K, Sadjjadi SM, Latifi SM, Zibaei M. Study on the contamination of Abadan public parks soil with Toxocara spp. eggs. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering. 2014; 12(1): 1-3. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
27. Khazan H, Khazaei M, Tabaee SS, Mehrabi A. Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Tehran City, Iran. Iranian journal of parasitology. 2012; 7(3): 38-42. [View at Publisher] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
28. Motazedian H, Mehrabani D, Tabatabaee S, Pakniat A, Tavalali M. Prevalence of helminth ova in soil samples from public places in Shiraz. EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2006; 12 (5), 562-565. [View at Publisher] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
29. Overgaauw PA, Nederland V. Aspects of Toxocara epidemiology: toxocarosis in dogs and cats. Critical reviews in microbiology. 1997;23(3):233-51. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
30. Berenji F, Movahedi Rudy AG, Fata A, Tavassoli M, Mousavi Bazaz M, Salehi Sangani G. Soil Contamination with Toxocara Spp. Eggs in Public Parks of Mashhad and Khaf, North East of Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2015; 10(2): 286-9. [View at Publisher] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
31. Pestechian N, Rasouli A, Yoosefi HA. Distribution of Intestinal Worms among Stray Dogs in Isfahan, Iran. Journal of Isfahan Medical School. 2012;29 (173): 2827-33. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Enamad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.