Molecular survey of taeniid cestodes with special emphasis on species in free-roaming dogs and wild carnivores in Armenia.

Echinococcosis, caused by cestodes of the genus , poses significant public health and veterinary concerns globally. In Armenia, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is well-documented in livestock and humans, while alveolar echinococcosis (AE) has long been considered non-endemic. However, a recent retrospective study identified human AE cases, suggesting an underestimation of the parasite's presence.

The first molecular study of Cystoisospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis in HIV/AIDS patients from Northern Iran.

Cystoisospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis have been known to cause a range of gastrointestinal and systemic complications, particularly in HIV/AIDS patients with low immunity. The manifestations are more severe in patients with CD4 + T-cell counts below 200 cells/µl. The current study was performed to detect these parasitic infections in HIV-positive patients in northern Iran.

Design and immunological evaluation of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against incorporating MIC13, GRA1, and SAG1 antigens in BALB/c mice.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the apicomplexan parasite , is a globally significant yet neglected disease that can cause serious clinical consequences in humans and extensive losses in the livestock industry. However, no effective vaccine has been provided for this parasite, so this study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a chimeric multi-epitope antigen as a potential toxoplasmosis vaccine candidate in a murine model. The multi-epitope vaccine candidate, designed with bioinformatics tools, MGS: a chimera of MIC13, GRA1, and SAG1 antigens, was expressed in BL21 and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography using a His Ni-NTA column.

Assessment of simultaneous IgM, IgG avidity, and IgA testing in diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis study.

Backgrounds: Toxoplasma gondii is a relatively common parasite with a global prevalence that can cause toxoplasmosis. This infection usually does not have clear symptoms, so timely and accurate detection plays a major role in the treatment of this disease. This study reviewed Toxoplasma antibodies dependent serologic tests in pregnancy, assessing their diagnostic effectiveness to guide healthcare providers, particularly obstetricians and gynecologists.

Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in natural ungulates as human zoonotic meat-borne pathogens: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The increasing consumer interest in game meat, along with the potential transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from game meat to humans, poses significant challenges in assessing the related public health risks. The diverse transmission pathways of T. gondii and its ability to infiltrate host organisms offer an excellent opportunity for enhancing our comprehension of this pathogen's transmission dynamics.

Efficacy of Clindamycin in Preventing Abortion and Vertical Transmission of (PRU Strain) Infection in Pregnant BALB/c Mice.

Background: transmission can occur during pregnancy if the mother contracts the infection for the first time. Treatment strategies include the use of antimicrobial medications and providing supportive care. Spiramycin is commonly used to treat toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and to hinder the disease's transmission.

Design and optimization of IgG avidity test for differentiating acute from chronic human toxoplasmosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasmosis which is caused by T. gondii, is common among humans and animals. T.

Diversity and Distribution of Bacterial and Parasitic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Armenia, Transcaucasia.

Background: Variations in the distribution and prevalence of pathogens in ticks can have significant consequences for human health. Information on these variables in Transcaucasia is scarce, so the aim of our study was to conduct a large-scale study to detect selected tick-borne infectious agents in Armenia.

Methods: Overall, 209 adult ticks were collected from different hosts including 4 samples from human clothes.

Preliminary investigations of parasite contamination of water sources in Armenia.

The intestinal protozoan parasites, and , are known to have a global distribution, infecting and causing disease in a range of hosts, including people, livestock, pets, and wildlife. However, data from some regions is very sparse. In Armenia, in the Caucasus region of West Asia, only scanty data are available, with just a few surveys on infections in livestock, and no available data on human infections or environmental contamination.

An updated list of mosquito species in Armenia and Transcaucasian region responsible for transmission: A review.

Canine dirofilariasis is a world-wide distributed mosquito-borne helminthiasis that has a potential zoonotic impact. This disease is a serious problem in Southern Caucasus region, including Armenia. Average extensity of Dirofilaria infection in canids in Armenia is 26.

Global epidemiology and spatial distribution of Toxoplasma gondii in goats: Protocol for a systematic review and Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite causes toxoplasmosis in humans and many species of domestic and wild animals. T. gondii instigates significant economic losses in sheep and goat farming industry and can lead to abortion, stillbirth, congenital malformations and neonatal losses.

Chromosome-scale Echinococcus granulosus (genotype G1) genome reveals the Eg95 gene family and conservation of the EG95-vaccine molecule.

Cystic echinococcosis is a socioeconomically important parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the canid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, afflicting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The development of a vaccine (called EG95) has been the most notable translational advance in the fight against this disease in animals. However, almost nothing is known about the genomic organisation/location of the family of genes encoding EG95 and related molecules, the extent of their conservation or their functions.

Low MSP-1 haplotype diversity in the West Palearctic population of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum.

Background: Although avian Plasmodium species are widespread and common across the globe, limited data exist on how genetically variable their populations are. Here, the hypothesis that the avian blood parasite Plasmodium relictum exhibits very low genetic diversity in its Western Palearctic transmission area (from Morocco to Sweden in the north and Transcaucasia in the east) was tested.

Methods: The genetic diversity of Plasmodium relictum was investigated by sequencing a portion (block 14) of the fast-evolving merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) gene in 75 different P.

Burden of Ischemic Heart Disease in Central Asian Countries, 1990-2017.

Background: The burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is high. There is limited information on the burden of IHD in identified high risk areas like Central Asia (CA) which is comprised of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This study addresses the burden of IHD in CA at the regional and country levels.

Genetic characterization of in Iranian HIV positive patients using multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP method.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Iranian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients using multilocus-nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP). A total of 102 serum samples obtained from infected patients were collected from the laboratory centres in northern Iran. Anti-T.

Infection of parthenogenetic lizards by blood parasites does not support the "Red Queen hypothesis" but reveals the costs of sex.

Sexual organisms should be better suited than asexual ones in a context of continuous evolution in response to opposite organisms in changing environments ("Red Queen" hypothesis of sex). However, sex also carries costs associated with the maintenance of males and mating (sex cost hypothesis). Here, both non-mutually excluding hypotheses are tested by analysing the infestation by haemogregarines of mixed communities of Darevskia rock lizards composed of parthenogens generated by hybridisation and their bisexual relatives.

Is Toxoplasma gondii a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasmosis is a major public health concern due to neurotropic nature and role in the development of mental and behavioral disorders. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an important nervous disease that results in the reduction of the amount of beta-amyloid plaque deposition and irreversible loss of neurons in the brain. Although a few studies evaluated the association between AD and toxoplasmosis, the present study as a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies investigated the possible association between Toxoplasma gondii (T.

A systematic review of Toxoplasma gondii genotypes and feline: Geographical distribution trends.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is well known for its ability to virtually infect all warm-blooded vertebrates. Although felines as the definitive hosts have an important role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, there are few descriptions of genetic diversity in the world.

Evidence of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus Occurrence in Ixodidae Ticks of Armenia.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) causes serious health problems in humans. Though ticks of the genera play a significant role in the CCHF virus transmission it was also found in 31 other tick species.

Methods: Totally, 1412 ticks from 8 remote sites in Armenia during 2016 were sampled, pooled (3-5 ticks per pool) and tested for the presence of CCHFV antigen using ELISA test.

Is there any association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular opportunistic parasite that is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This parasite accounts for mental disorders; however, the relationship between T.