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Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most prevalent form of leishmaniasis worldwide. Although various anti-leishmanial regimens have been considered, due to the lack of efficacy or occurrence of adverse reactions, design and development of novel topical delivery systems would be essential. This study aimed to prepare artemether (ART)-loaded niosomes and evaluate their anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania major . ART-loaded niosomes were prepared through the thin-film hydration technique and characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, morphology, differential scanning calorimetry, drug loading, and drug release. Furthermore, anti-leishmanial effect of the preparation was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The prepared ART-loaded niosomes were spherical with an average diameter of about 100 and 300 nm with high encapsulation efficiencies of > 99%. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity revealed that ART-loaded niosomes had significantly higher anti-leishmanial activity, lower general toxicity, and higher selectivity index (SI). Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of ART, ART-loaded niosomes, and liposomal amphotericin B were 39.09, 15.12, and 20 µg/mL, respectively. Also, according to the in vivo study results, ART-loaded niosomes with an average size of 300 nm showed the highest anti-leishmanial effects in animal studies. ART-loaded niosomes would be promising topical drug delivery system for the management of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The venom of scorpions contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including mucoproteins, nucleotides, and enzymes. Among these, phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) plays a critical role in hydrolyzing plasma membrane phospholipids, leading to the release of fatty acids and lysophospholipids. In this study, characterized Maurolipin was selected as a candidate for recombinant protein production and evaluation of its anti-leishmanial activity. The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli strain Origami (DE3) and purified using a Ni-NTA resin column. The anti-parasitic activity of Maurolipin was tested against Leishmania major promastigotes, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). The growth inhibitory effect was assessed across a range of concentrations (40 to 0.07 μg/ml). Leishmanicidal activity was determined by propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry, while cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated using an MTT assay. Maurolipin exhibited potent anti-leishmanial effects, with a 24-hour growth inhibition IC 50 of 6.5 μg/ml and a leishmanicidal LC 50 of 9.06 μg/ml after 3 hours of exposure. Cytotoxic effects on macrophages were dose- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that recombinant Maurolipin possesses growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing properties, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for leishmaniasis.

Background Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a protozoan, causes numerous deaths in humans each year. After malaria, leishmaniasis is known to be the deadliest parasitic disease globally. Direct visual detection of leishmania parasite through microscopy is the frequent method for diagnosis of this disease. However, this method is time-consuming and subject to errors. This study was aimed to develop an artificial intelligence-based algorithm for automatic diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Methods We used the Viola-Jones algorithm to develop a leishmania parasite detection system. The algorithm includes three procedures: feature extraction, integral image creation, and classification. Haar-like features are used as features. An integral image was used to represent an abstract of the image that significantly speeds up the algorithm. The adaBoost technique was used to select the discriminate features and to train the classifier. Results A 65% recall and 50% precision was concluded in the detection of macrophages infected with the leishmania parasite. Also, these numbers were 52% and 71%, respectively, related to amastigotes outside of macrophages. Conclusion The developed system is accurate, fast, easy to use, and cost-effective. Therefore, artificial intelligence might be used as an alternative for the current leishmanial diagnosis methods.

Background: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the larvae of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. Patients with schizophrenia may be at higher risk of infection, possibly due to their cognitive and personal self-care impairments. We aimed to assess the association between Toxocara spp. exposure and schizophrenia. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 109 patients with schizophrenia admitted to Ibn Sina Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, and 104 age- and gender-matched healthy controls from May to September 2021. A questionnaire was obtained and serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to Toxocara excretory/secretory (TES) antigens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Anti-Toxocara IgG was detected in 12 schizophrenic patients and 10 control subjects, giving respective seroprevalences of 11.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=5.8–18.4%) and 9.6% (95% CI=4.7–17.0%). Univariate logistic analyses estimated an odds ratio (OR) of 1.16 (95% CI=0.44–3.16); however, it was not statistically significant (P=0.915). Individuals with a history of eating unwashed vegetables or fruits (23.1%, 95% CI=9.0–43.6, crude odds ratio [COR]=3.21, 95% CI=1.13–9.13) and rural residency (19.5%, 95% CI=8.8–34.9, COR=2.74, 95% CI=1.06–7.05) had significantly higher rates of seropositivity using the univariate logistic analyses. After multivariate logistic analyses, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The toxocariasis seroprevalence among schizophrenic and healthy participants was not significantly different (11% vs. 9.6%). Since the disease severity, onset, and cognitive sequelae are not the same among schizophrenic patients, clinically matched studies with larger samples are required to address the current inconsistency between the studies.

Background Toxocariasis is caused by infection with Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati , common nematodes of canids and felids, respectively. Humans become infected after the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs of Toxocara from the soil or the consumption of raw and undercooked meat containing Toxocara larvae. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify ascarid nematodes isolated from jackals in Guilan and Mazandaran provinces, based on morphological and molecular approaches. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 41 road-killed golden jackals collected from Guilan and Mazandaran provinces in northern Iran. At first, species identification was carried out based on morphological characterization. Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolates of Toxocara collected from jackals. PCR-RFLP of Ribosomal DNA regions (ITS) using Rsa I endonuclease enzyme and PCR-sequencing were carried out to identify Toxocara species. The sequence data were aligned using Bioedit software and compared with published sequences in GenBank using the BLAST system. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 5.0 software. Results Eleven out of 41 road-killed golden jackals (26.8%) were infected with Toxocara nematodes. All the isolates were confirmed as T. canis based on morphological and molecular methods. A pairwise comparison of the sequences did not show any differences in nucleotide sequences within T. canis isolates, and the sequences were identical and exhibited 100% homology. Conclusions Considering the almost high prevalence of T. canis in golden jackals and its critical role in human toxocariasis, the identification of parasite species by molecular methods can be used to plan prevention and control programs in human and animal communities. Since, the ITS sequences of T. canis isolated from jackals in Iran were utterly similar to the ITS sequences of T. canis isolated from other hosts from different areas of the world, it is hypothesized that the type of host and geographical region do not affect the genetic diversity of the ITS region sequences of T. canis .

The present study aimed to assess the anti-leishmanial effects of curcumin nanoemulsion (CUR-NE) against Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. CUR-NE was successfully prepared via the spontaneous emulsification method. The in vitro effect of various concentrations of CUR-NE against L. major promastigotes was assessed using the flow cytometry method. In vivo experiments were carried out in BALB/c mice inoculated subcutaneously with 2 × 10 6  L. major promastigotes. Mice were treated with topical CUR-NE (2.5 mg/ml), intra-lesion injection of CUR-NE (2.5 mg/ml), topical CUR suspension (CUR-S, 2.5 mg/ml), topical NE without CUR (NE-no CUR), amphotericin B as the positive control group, and infected untreated mice as the negative control group. In vitro exposure of promastigotes to CUR-NE showed a dose-dependent anti-leishmanial effect, with a 67.52 ± 0.35% mortality rate at a concentration of 1250 µg/ml and an IC50 of 643.56 µg/ml. In vivo experiments showed that topical CUR-NE and CUR-S significantly decreased the mean lesion size in mice after four weeks from 4.73 ± 1.28 to 2.78 ± 1.28 mm and 4.45 ± 0.88 to 3.23 ± 0.59 mm, respectively ( p  = 0.001). Furthermore, CUR-NE significantly decreased the parasite load in treated mice compared with the negative control group ( p  = 0.001). Results from the current study demonstrated the promising activity of CUR-NE against L. major in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Moreover, CUR-NE was more efficient than CUR-S in healing and reducing parasite burden in mouse models. Future studies should aim to identify molecular mechanisms as well as the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic aspects of CUR-NE.

The most important pathogenesis factor in the Apicomplexa parasites is invasion to the host cell. Given the inhibitory role of Butanedione Monoxime (BDM) on myosin–actin interaction, this study aimed to investigate the effects of this molecule on the vitality and infectivity of Toxoplasma tachyzoites in order to provide a new option for vaccine development. The tachyzoites of the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii were exposed to different concentrations (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 μg/mL) of BDM, and mortality effect was assessed by flow cytometry. Then, the penetration ability of the tachyzoites was investigated in HeLa and macrophage cell lines. The infectivity of exposed tachyzoites to BDM were also investigated in mice through following up and detecting the etiological factor. The highest percentage of mortality (72.69%) was seen in the tachyzoites exposed to 128 μg/mL of the compound. The tachyzoites exposed to 32, 64, and 128 μg/mL of BDM began the proliferation in HeLa cells after 48 h, while this proliferation was initiated within 24 h in macrophage cells. All the mice inoculated with the BDM-treated tachyzoites died after 13 days. The mean survival time of the mice receiving tachyzoites exposed to 128 μg/mL of BDM was 12.4 days, which was significantly different from the negative control group ( p  = 0.001). BDM, as the inhibitor of myosin–actin interaction, and other substances that block the entry of parasites into cells may be suitable candidates for vaccine production against Toxoplasma . Yet, future studies are required to be conducted on the issue.

Toxoplasmosis is a globally parasitic zoonotic disease transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii protozoa. This infection in its chronic form can cause a change in its host's specific behavior and is also associated with developing neuropsychological symptoms in humans. Changes in neurotransmitters' levels, especially dopamine, have been identified as a behavior change factor in the infected host. This study aimed to evaluate serum dopamine levels in acute murine toxoplasmosis. In this study, 50 mice infected with Toxoplasma were studied in 5 separate groups, and ten healthy mice were considered as negative control. For five consecutive days after parasite injection, blood sampling and serum isolation were performed daily from one of the groups. Serum dopamine levels were measured by HPLC method. Statistical studies showed that serum dopamine on the first to the fourth day after parasite inoculation was the same as the negative control, but the fifth day began to increase. The present study results indicate that dopamine production in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii increases from day five after infection. This result suggests that in acute toxoplasmosis, dopamine production is low, and the trend of chronic disease increases dopamine production.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. Despite the existence of many therapeutic strategies, the treatment of this infection still faces problems. Sodium chlorite as an antimicrobial agent has been shown to have acceptable tissue regenerative and wound healing properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the in vitro effects of different concentrations of sodium chlorite on Leishmania major promastigotes and macrophage cells. The inhibitory and toxicity effect of various concentrations (0.0035, − 1.8 mg/ml) of sodium chlorite on the standard Iranian strain of L. major promastigotes were evaluated via counting the cells and flow cytometry. Furthermore, cytotoxicity on promastigotes and J774 macrophage cell line were performed by MTT assay. The results of the inhibitory test demonstrated that sodium chlorite had dose-dependent, anti-leishmanial activities. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) for promastigotes and J774 cells by cytotoxicity test was detected at 0.17 mg/ml and 0.08 mg/ml after 48 h respectively. Flow cytometry results showed that 27.34% death of promastigotes was observed in 0.0035 mg/ml of sodium chlorite and 78.12% in 1.8 mg/ml. The results of the present study showed that sodium chlorite could be used as an effective treatment for CL, especially in cases resistant to treatment with pentavalent compounds. However, the toxicity of this substance in high concentrations should be considered in clinical setting.

Background The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro protoscolicidal effects of curcumin nanoemulsion (CUR-NE) against protoscoleces of cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatid cysts. Methods The CUR-NE was prepared via spontaneous emulsification of soybean as the oil phase, a mixture of Tween 80 and Tween 85 as the surfactant, ethanol as the co-surfactant and distilled water. Various concentrations of CUR-NE (156, 312, 625 and 1250 µg/ml) were exposed to collected protoscoleces of infected sheep liver hydatid cysts for 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min. Viability of the protoscoleces were assessed using eosin exclusion test. Morphological changes of the protoscoleces were observed using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. Results The mean particle size and zeta potential of CUR-NE included 60.4 ± 14.8 nm and − 16.1 ± 1.1 mV, respectively. Results showed that the viability of the protoscoleces decreased significantly with increases in CUR-NE concentrations ( p  < 0.001). The mortality rates of protoscoleces with exposure to concentrations of 1250 and 625 µg/ml of CUR-NE for 60 min were 94 and 73.33%, respectively. Mortality of the protoscoleces was 100% after 120 min of exposure to 1250 and 625 µg/ml concentrations of CUR-NE. Using NIC microscopy, extensively altered tegumental surface protoscoleces was observed after protoscoleces exposure to CUR-NE. Conclusion The findings of the present study revealed the in vitro protoscolicidal potential of CUR-NE. Therefore, CUR-NEs are addressed as novel protoscolicidal agents, which can be used as an alternative natural medicine to kill the protoscoleces, owing to their low toxicity and significant inhibition potency. However, further studies are necessary to investigate pharmacologic and pharmacokinetics of CUR-NEs.