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Background: Nanoparticles have many properties, depending on their size, shape, and morphology, allowing them to interact with microorganisms, plants, and animals. Objectives: Investigatation of the therapeutic effects biocompatible zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on P. equorum infection in rats. Methods: Thirty-six rats were divided into two divisions are: the first division is noninfected groups were allocated into three groups. Group 1: Control, Group 2: ZnO NPs (30mg/kg) and group 3: ZnO NPs (60mg/kg). The second division is infected groups were allocated into three groups. Group 1: vehicle, group 2: ZnO NPs (30mg/kg) and group 3: ZnO NPs (60mg/kg). Findings: Biocompatible ZnO NPs caused a significant decrease in liver functions, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, MDA and NO. While it caused a significant increase in HB, HDL, BCHE, GSH, CAT, and GST in infected treated rats. The histological inflammation and fibroplasia scores showed a significant enhancement during the treatment with ZnO NPs (30, 60mg/kg) compared to the infected untreated animals that scored the highest pathological destruction score. Immunohistochemical markers of NF-κB showed a significant decrease during the treatment with ZnO NPs (30, 60mg/kg) compared to the infected untreated animals. Main conclusions: Biocompatible Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle is a promising treatment modality against parasitic infection through its powerful anthelmintic, antioxidant, healing promotion, and anti-inflammation effects.

Pleistophora macrozoarcidis a microsporidian parasite infecting the muscle tissue of the ocean pout Macrozoarces americanus collected from the Gulf of Maine of the Atlantic Ocean, MA, USA, was morphologically described on the basis of ultrastructural features. Infection was detected as opaque white or rusty brown lesions scattered throughout the musculature of the fish mainly in the region anterior to anus. Transmission electron microscopy showed that in individual parasitized muscle cells, the infection progresses within parasite formed vesicles which are in direct contact with muscle cell elements. The earliest observed parasitic stages are the globular multinucleated proliferative cells or plasmodia limited by a highly tortuous plasmalemma with intervesicular finger-like digitations projecting into the parasite cytoplasm. These cells divided through the invagination of the plasmalemma and the amorphous coat producing daughter-cells. Fine electron-dense secretion is deposited on the plasmalemma that causes its thickening which is a sign of commencement of the sporogonic phase. This phase is carried out by cytokinesis of the sporonts and results in the formation of sporoblasts and finally spores. Mature spore has a thin electron-dense exospore, a thick electron-lucent endospore, and the plasma membrane which encloses the spore contents. A single nucleus is centrally located with the posterior region containing a posterior vacuole. The majority of spores have 7-13 coils in 1-2 rows, and a small group of spores had about 23 coils forming two rows. Events of polar filament extrusion for penetration of uninfected cells were studied. The polaroplast membranes were expanded and occupy most of the length of the spore. The coils are dislocated from the sides of the spore to throughout the entire sporoplasm. The polar filament everts and extrudes through the polar cap with a sufficient force to pierce adjacent sporophorous vesicle walls. After eversion, the polar filament is referred to as a polar tubule, as it forms a tube through which the sporoplasm travels. It pierces anything in its path and deposits the sporoplasm at a new location to begin another infective cycle.

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