The present work aims to investigate the antiparasitic and the immunomodulating effects of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and ivermectin (IVC) alone or combined together or combined with selenium (Se), on Cryptosporidium infection in diabetic mice. The results revealed that the combined NTZ and IVC therapy achieved the highest reduction of fecal oocysts (92%), whereas single NTZ showed the lowest reduction (63%). Also, adding Se to either NTZ or IVC resulted in elevation of oocyst reduction from 63% to 71% and from 82% to 84% respectively. All treatment regimens, with the exception of NTZ monotherapy, showed a significant improvement in the intestinal histopathology, the highest score was in combined NTZ and IVC therapy. The unique results of immunohistochemistry in this study showed reversal of the normal CD4/CD8 T cell ratio in the infected untreated mice, however, following therapy it reverts back to a normal balanced ratio. The combined (NTZ+ IVC) treatment demonstrated the highest level of CD4 T cell expression. Taken together, NTZ and IVC combined therapy showed remarkable anti-parasitic and immunostimulatory effects, specifically towards the CD4 population that seem to be promising in controlling cryptosporidiosis in diabetic individuals. Further research is required to explore other effective treatment strategies for those comorbid patients.

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Background Mast cells are known to affect the primary and secondary immune responses against parasites, and this effect is partially mediated through the release of pro-angiogenic mediators. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the mast cell stabilizer (MCS), ketotifen, with and without albendazole, an anti-parasitic prescription medicine, on the inflammatory response against Trichinella spiralis, with the overall aim to investigate its effect on angiogenesis accompanying nurse cell formation. Methods The effect of ketotifen and albendazole was explored in eight groups of female BALB/c mice. Four groups were sensitized with a small dose of T. spiralis larvae. The drug regimen was then applied to both sensitized (challenged) and non-sensitized mice. The parasite load was assessed by histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscle tissue, and angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results Sensitized mice showed a significantly lower parasite load and a more pronounced inflammatory response than mice receiving a single infective dose of T. spiralis larvae. All treated groups showed a significant reduction in parasite count compared to the control groups (groups IAa and IBa), reaching approximately an 98.8% reduction in adult parasite count in the sensitized group treated with albendazole (groups IIAb and IIBb). MCS significantly decreased the parasite count during both the intestinal or muscular phases, reduced tissue inflammation, and decreased local VEGF expression, both in the non-sensitized and sensitized groups. Conclusion Sensitization with a low dose of T. spiralis larvae was found to confer a partial protective immunity against re-infection and to positively affect the study outcomes, thus underlining the importance of vaccination, but after extensive studies. The anti-angiogenic effect of MCS protects against larval encystation during the muscle phase. The anti-angiogenic potential of albendazole suggests that the action of this anti-helminthic during trichinellosis is not confined to structural damage to the parasite cuticle but includes an effect on host immunopathological response. Graphical Abstract

Trichinellosis is a zoonosis results from eating raw or semi-cooked meat of infected animals. Medicinal plants have been used lately as alternatives and/or combined therapies to resolve some drawbacks of the current regimens. This work analyzed the effect of albendazole monotherapy on Trichinella spiralis experimental infection (group A), in comparison to P. granatum and amygdalin extracts +cobalamin (group B), plus its combination with albendazole (group C). The study revealed that the extracts alone or combined with albendazole had an inferior effect to albendazole monotherapy regarding number of adult worms (40.83 ±3.82, 18.67 ±1.86 and 16.83 ±2.32, respectively). However, their effect was more obvious in muscle phase combined with albendazole, achieving the lower number of larvae/mL tissue homogenate (22.33 ±3.27 in comparison to 39.67 ±2.58 achieved by albendazole monotherapy). The extracts exerted a significant immunomodulatory effect by reducing the local CD4+ expression in the intestine as well as in muscle phase (1.15 ±0.25 and 3.80 ±0.65 in comparison to 4.97 ±0.37 and 12.20 ±0.87 with albendazole monotherapy, respectively). So, these extracts improved the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole, specifically in muscle phase and counteracted the inflammatory reaction caused by albendazole monotherapy, thus extensively alleviating the resulting myositis.

Hydatid cyst disease is a parasitic infection caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus affecting mainly the liver. Diagnosis of hepatic hydatidosis depends on clinical presentations, serological assays and radiological findings. The present study included 40 patients suffered from hepatic hydatid cysts. They were classified into 4 groups according to therapeutic protocols they received. All cases were subjected to serological assay, radiological examination to categorize cysts and open surgical intervention for treatment. Samples of hydatid fluid and cysts were examined regarding parasitological, morphometric and histopathological aspects. Viability of cyst contents was assessed using eosin stain. All samples were cultivated for microbiological assessment. Viability was 95-100% in GI (no previous treatment), 50-85% in GII, 25-45% in GIII (single PAIR technique and single Albendazole course) and 0-10% in GIV (repeated PAIR and medical treatment). Enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in one sample in GI and 8 samples in GIV respectively.

among groups treated with LD-PZQ followed by those which received combined ACEI and PZQ. The highest TGF-β1 local hepatic expression values were obtained by groups receiving the classic anti-bilharzial single oral dose praziquantel (S.O.D PZQ) regimen, indicating its ineffectiveness as a monotherapeutic agent to minimize liver fibro-sclerotic threats in acute and chronic phases of schistosomiasis. Lisinopril alone or when combined with PZQ, succeeded in causing a drop in TGF-β1 hepatic expression as LD-PZQ regimen, thus increasing the chance of healing without hepatic scarring. Yet, its usage as an adjuvant to PZQ, instead of LD-PZQ has the additional benefit of not exposing the community to unwarranted resistance to PZQ, a drug that is to date still indispensable for the treatment of bilharziasis.

Demodex is a permanent ectoparasite of the pilo-sebaceous units, related mainly to the facial region. Two species are specific for humans, Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis.Some of these species appear to be associated with variable skin disorders, yet controversy persists concerning this issue. Some reports indicate a connection between acne vulgaris and demodicosis. Aim of the work: to evaluate variable methods to expose Demodex mites. Patients and Methods : A total of 60 cases enrolled in the study were divided into 2 categories; 30 patients with acne vulgaris and 30 healthy volunteers. Samples were collected by three different methods: deep skin scraping, hair epilation and Scotch adhesive tape method.