Studies on Legionella show a continuum from environment to human disease. Legionellosis is caused by Legionella species acquired from environmental sources, principally water sources such as cooling towers, where Legionella grows intracellularly in protozoa within biofilms. Aquatic biofilms, which are widespread not only in nature, but also in medical and dental devices, are ecological niches i...

BACKGROUND Intestinal parasites are still a serious public health problem in the world, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Sanandaj City, Iran. METHODS This cross-sectional study involving 400 schoolchildren was carried out in 2015. Each student was selected using s...

Unicellular protozoan grazers represent a size class of organisms where a transition in the mechanism of chlorobiphenyl (CB) introduction, from diffusion through surface membranes to ingestion of contaminated prey, could occur. This study compares the relative importance of these two processes in the overall uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls by protists. Uptake rates and steady-state concentr...

BACKGROUND The repertoire of free-living protozoa in contact lens solutions is poorly known despite the fact that such protozoa may act as direct pathogens and may harbor intra-cellular pathogens. METHODS Between 2009 and 2014, the contact lens solutions collected from patients presenting at our Ophthalmology Department for clinically suspected keratitis, were cultured on non-nutrient agar ex...

A variety of parasites are commonly detected in tissue sections, including protozoa, arthropods, round worms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes (trematodes).1,2,3 In addition to the true worms, a large number worm mimics may be encountered pose significant diagnostic challenge1 This case-based section will review key features their mimics, how they can recognised by anatomic pathologi...

Biological soil crusts are diverse assemblages of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, lichens, and mosses that cover much of arid land soils. The objective of this study was to quantify protozoa associated with biological soil crusts and test the response of protozoa to increased temperature and precipitation as is predicted by some global climate models. Protozoa were more abundant when ass...

In the enrichment culture of the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria collected from an acid mine drainage, we have confirmed protozoa that belongs to Bodo edax. This paper describes an interaction between the bacteria and the protozoa in the presence of cupric ion. The SO42produced by the bacteria from S0 and the cell numbers of the bacteria and the protozoa were measured as a function of time in the cul...