Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal flagellated protozoan that infects humans and several animal species. Giardiasis causing more than 200 million symptomatic infections globally is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in developing countries. Based on molecular studies mainly targeting the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene locus of the parasite, eight assemblages (A to H) have been identified in humans and other animal species. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the frequency and molecular diversity of G. duodenalis in children from rural and urban day care centers from Behbahan, southwestern Iran. This cross-sectional study was based on a concentration method for the microscopic detection of G. duodenalis in stool samples of 450 children, aged 1-7 years, in Behbahan, southwestern Iran. The survey was conducted from December 2015 to May 2016. PCR methods targeting the SSU rRNA and triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) genes of G. duodenalis were used for the identification and genotyping of the parasite isolates. Based on sucrose flotation and microscopy techniques, 2.7% (12/450) of children were infected with G. duodenalis, of which six (50.0%) were males and the other six (50.0%) were females. Overall, 91.7% (11/12) of the infections were detected in children from rural areas. The SSU rRNA and TPI genes were amplified successfully in nine and eight, respectively, of the Giardia-positive samples at microscopy. Among the eight TPI sequences, assemblage A, sub-assemblage AII, was identified in five of the isolates. The sequences of the three remaining samples were untypable. Although no significantly statistical difference between genotype and clinical symptoms was found, five out of the eight isolates identified as assemblage A were obtained in asymptomatic children. Giardia duodenalis infections were more prevalent in children from rural day care schools, and the predominant assemblage was A, sub-assemblage AII. The higher prevalence of giardiasis in rural areas might be related to differences in personal hygiene habits, parents' education level, source of drinking water, and inadequate hygienic toilet facilities in rural areas.
In Iran, Leishmania major or L. tropica cause almost all of the human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Unfortunately, the detection methods frequently used for CL (the microscopical examination of direct smears or the culture of biopsies) are not very sensitive and the Leishmania species causing each case of CL in Iran is usually only tentatively identified from extrinsic factors, such as the case's clinical manifestations and region of residence. Recently, however, a nested PCR that targets the parasites' kinetoplast DNA has been used in the city of Ahvaz (the capital of the province of Khouzestan, in south-western Iran) to confirm the microscopical diagnosis of CL and to identify the causative parasites, to species level. Smears from the lesions on 100 suspected cases of CL were fixed, stained with Wright's eosin-methylene blue, and checked for amastigotes under a light microscope. Scrapings from the same smears were then tested for leishmanial DNA, using a nested PCR that allows the DNA from L. tropica to be identified and distinguished from that of L. major. The 100 smears investigated were all found amastigote-positive by microscopy and PCR-positive for either L. major DNA (97 smears) or L. tropica DNA (three smears). The predominant species causing CL in Ahvaz is therefore L. major.
The present study attempted to develop a fast and sensitive ultrasound-assisted-dispersive-micro-solid phase extraction method for the separation and preconcentration of albendazole from plasma and urine samples.
Background: Protoscolex plays an important role in the development of hydatid cyst. Albendazole is one of the most effectual protoscolicidal agents for averting the reappearance of this disease, nonetheless, its low solubility and its low intestinal absorption necessitates the presence of a drug carrier to enhance its efficacy. In this study, the effect of albendazole and its nano-form on protoscolices in cultured media and in vivo was evaluated.
Methods: Microemulsion method was used to prepare the Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing albendazole. Infected livers were collected from the Slaughterhouse of Ahvaz, Khuzestan in 2017. The protoscolices were stored in RPMI 1640 for one week, and their survival under the influence of albendazole and nano-albendazole on days 3 and 7 at concentrations of 250 and 500µg / ml was investigated. The live protoscolices exposed on day 3 at a concentration of 250 μg/ml were injected to mice for evaluation of pathogenicity. Three months later, after autopsy of the mice, the pathogenicity was evaluated.
Results: Protoscolicidal efficacy was highest in both concentrations on day 7 for albendazole and on day 5 for nano-albendazole. Following the autopsy of the mice, cyst growth was reported in all mice, and only two mice from the albandazole loaded SLNs group did not have any cyst.
Conclusion: Albendazole loaded SLNs showed a higher protoscolicidal property than the free form of this drug; therefore, the use of nano-formulation of this drug is recommended to prevent the onset of this disease.
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