| Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are of the maximum generic of human infections international, causing extensive morbidity and mortality particularly in children. Our aim was to estimate the situation of IPIs in stool and fingernails samples among elementary schoolchildren in Sohag, Egypt. In this cross-sectional research stool specimens from 200 schoolchildren were inspected macroscopically and microscopically by formol-ether sedimentation, after that staining with Kinyoun’s modified acid-fast stain. Fingernails cuts of the children were gathered, put in tubes including 10% KOH before examination by light microscope for detection of parasites. A detailed questionnaire about clinical symptoms was done. Univariate also multivariable logistic relapse models were calculated for interpretation of the danger figures for parasitic infection. 63.5% of children harbored at least one type of intestinal parasite. There were significant differences regarding infections in contrast to residence and family size. Monoparasitized children constituted 40% while 23.5% were polyparasitized. Protozoa were more frequent than helminths parasitizing (53.5% vs 4%) of the studied children. Cryptosporidium sp., G. duodenalis and E. histolytica/ dispar were the majority regular parasites found, with prevalence rates of 34%, 14.5% and 13% respectively. The predominant helminthic infection was H. nana (5%). Polyparasitzed children were more frequently symptomatized than monoparasitized children. A significant difference was detected between diarrhea and polyparasitzed children. E. vermicularis and H. nana eggs were found in 2% of the fingernail clippings. Age, gender, residence, also family size were not danger figures to polyparasitism after calculation of univariate what’s more multivariable logistic relapse models. IPIs were very common among Sohag schoolchildren. Hence, there is an insistent requirement to execute an integrated project to decrease the predominance and intensity of these infections.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) affects around 30% of humans worldwide. Recently, it has emerged as a significant opportunistic pathogen to immunocompromised patients. Data available is still lacking about toxoplasmosis in cancer patients in Egypt. This study aimed to reveal the current trend of T. gondii in cancer patients in Sohag, Egypt. Sera from 50 cancer patients and 50 healthy controls were screened for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM. Further, buffy coats from both groups were used for detection of T. gondii B1 and RE genes via conventional and nested PCR, respectively. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG was high (58%). IgG and IgM were detected in 30% and 9% cancer patients, respectively. Patients with solid cancers exhibited a greater IgG seropositivity compared to those with hematologic tumors (77.27% and 46.43%, respectively) (P = 0.03). Concerning the molecular results, only 4 (9%) were positive regarding both PCR assays. In conclusion, T. gondii is highly prevalent in cancer patients in Sohag, Egypt. PCR is strongly recommended to complement serology to diagnose acute or reactivated toxoplasmosis in cancer patients. B1 PCR was found to be equivalent to RE PCR. Nevertheless, thorough large-scale research must be implemented.

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are still public health problems in many communities, particularly among children in developing countries.This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the current prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal polyparasitism (the concurrent infection with multiple intestinal parasite species) among schoolchildren in Sohag governorate, Egypt. Methodology / Principal findings: Fecal samples were collected from 200 schoolchildren (51.5% boys and 48.5% girls), preserved and examined by using formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique and modified Kinyoun acid fast stain. Demographic information was collected by using a standardized questionnaire. Overall, 63.5% of the children were found to be positive for at least one parasite species. Of these, 23.5% were polyparasitized. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia duodenalis, Entamebahistolytica/ dispar, Blastocystisinfections were 34%, 14.5% and 13%, respectively. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models showed that none of the age, gender, residence or family size were risk factors for polyparasitism. Conclusions/Significance: Intestinal polyparasitism is prevalent among children in Sohag, Egypt. Hence, effective and sustainable control measures, including school-based periodic chemotherapy, providing adequate health education focused on good personal hygiene practices and proper sanitation, as well as safe drinking water supply should be implemented to reduce the prevalence and consequences of these infections in this population

Parasitic infections pose a significant public health concern, particu-larly in resource-limited settings. Even now, microscopy is still the “gold standard” diagnostic method. Despite the non-microscopic ad-vances, including antigen and molecular detection of human para-sites, they have not yet been integrated into routine laboratory work due to their high infrastructure requirements. Artificial intelligence (AI) using deep learning (DL) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is increasingly becoming an important component of clinical parasitology diagnostics. DL has shown extraordinary performance in biomedical image analysis, including various parasite diagnoses, in the past few years. AI and microscopy represent the state-of-the-art in clinical parasitology diagnostics. This review aimed to concisely high-light the recent advances in the use of AI in parasite detection in clin-ical samples. The article focuses on recently published proof-of-con-cept studies on schistosomiasis, intestinal parasitic infections, ma-laria, and leishmaniasis. In the end, we summarise the challenges and future trends that DL confronts in the field of parasite diagnostics.

Leishmaniases are a group of heterogeneous vector-borne diseases caused by obligate intracellularflagellated protozoans of genus Leishmania. At least 21 species have been proven to bepathogenic to humans. The principal mode of transmission of leishmaniasis is by the bite of aninfected female sand-fly. Leishmania infections have six clinical forms, defined by the locationof the parasite in the infected tissues: visceral (VL), post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis(PKDL), cutaneous (CL), diffuse cutaneous (DCL), mucocutaneous (MCL) and mucosal (ML)leishmaniasis. The clinical outcomes of leishmaniais dep- end on factors inherent to the parasite,the vector, and the host. Leishmaniasis is emerging and threatens to become an uncontrollabledisease. Most patients live in low-to-middle income countries where governments are faced withlimited healthcare budgets and other ailments such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. As a result,little research is dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and control of leishmaniasis. Thisbrief review focuses on recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment strategies of leishmaniasiscaused by both Old and New World Leishmania species.