covalent loading or directional binding of biomolecules on gold nanoparticles (Aunps) could lead to better results than simple direct adsorption for an enhanced eLiSA application. the use of Mini-parasep solvent-free (SF) without ether or ethyl acetate for the clean and efficient concentration of protozoa cysts, it is a single-use device for in vitro diagnostic use only. in this work, we used Mini-parasep Sf for the detection of giardia cysts in comparison to direct smear and Merthiolate-iodine formaldehyde concentration (Mifc) technique in addition to its use in antigen detection by Aunps biomolecule loading using rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb) against purified Giardia antigen (pGA). As a result, Mini-Parasep SF was the most effective method for Giardia cyst detection and regarding optimization of Mini-Parasep antigen detection, our data showed increased sensitivity and specificity of nano-sandwich ELISA to 92% and 94% respectively and increased positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) to 88.64% and 95.91% respectively. In conclusion, this research provides that Mini-parasep Sf concentrator enhanced Giardia cyst detection and improved antigen preparation for Aunps sandwich eLiSA in giardiasis diagnosis. the advantages of this method are the short assay time and the raised accuracy of antigen detection providing concentrated samples without the risk of solvent use and being a disposable Mini-parasep it helps in giardia antigen purification as well as raising the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA through binding AuNPs.

Abstract. CC-BY 4.0 International license It is made available under a (which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint . http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/347278 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Jun. 14, 2018; 26Schistosomiasis is one of the most socioeconomically exhausting parasitic 27 infection in tropical and subtropical areas. Praziquantel (PZQ), the only common 28 schistosocidal drug in use, is not efficient enough for treatment of immature infection. 29Arabic gum (AG) is a complex polysaccharide acts as anti-oxidant which modulates the Author summary 46Schistosomiasis is a major public health threat in many parts of the world, it 47 affects more than 240 million people in more than 70 countries and almost 800 million 48 people are at risk of acquiring this disease. Serious consequences and disabilities might . CC-BY 4.0 International license It is made available under a (which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.The copyright holder for this preprint . http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/347278 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Jun. 14, 2018;

Praziquantel (PZQ), the only common schistosocidal drug in use, is not efficacious for treatment of immature schistosomiasis infection. Arabic gum (AG) is a complex polysaccharide that acts as an antioxidant which modulates the inflammatory and/or immunological processes. This study explores for the first time, the antischistosomal properties of AG in mice infected with the immature stage of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Mice were divided into four groups: control group (infected nontreated), AG treated group, PZQ treated group, and AG+PZQ treated group. Oral administration of AG in a dose of 1 g/kg body weight, daily for 3 consecutive weeks post-infection (PI) resulted in a statistically significant (P-value 0.002 and 0.008 respectively) lower worm burden in both AG group and AG+PZQ group compared to PZQ and control groups. AG+PZQ group always showed the best results when compared with other groups regarding tissue egg load and oogram pattern. AG, both alone and in combination with PZQ, decreased the granuloma number and diameter; with increasing the cellularity and the number of degenerated Schistosoma eggs inside granulomas. Results obtained by this work elucidated a promising AG bioactivity against S. mansoni immature stages and provided a platform for subsequent experimental studies to illuminate the academia more about this novel and " green" antischistosomal agent.

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the risky zoonotic protozoan diseases of worldwide distribution. This present explored the efficacy of different concentrations of piperazine citrate with or without nitazoxanide against cryptosporidiosis infection in immuno-compromised and immuno-competent male mice. One hundred and thirty clean bred male Swiss Albino mice weighed about 20 gm were used. Of them 65 were given immunosuppressive drug (Dexamethasone ® ) for 15 day before infection. All mice put in separate labeled cages in the experimental laboratory under controlled condition and allowed suitable food. After confirming experimental infection, both types of mice were treated with Piperazine citrate as 100mg/kg in different doses (20, 30, & 40mg/kg). Besides, other groups of both types of mice were treated with Nitazoxanide ® (NTZ) syrup 100mg/5ml, or Piperazine 30mg/kg and (NTZ). Assessment of drugs was done by stool examination of modified Zeil-Nelseen stained smears for oocysts.The results showed that both Piperazine citrate and Nitazoxanide caused significant reduction in C. parvum oocysts as compared to control infected non-treated. Immuno-compromised mice treated by piperazine citrate (40mg/kg) for 7 days showed a higher significant reduction in number of oocysts as compared to immunocompromised mice treated by of Piperazine citrate (20&30) mg/ kg for the same period. Combination of Piperazine 30 & NTZ for 7days in immuno-compromised mice gave much more reduction in number of oocysts than NTZ alone (P<0.05). Piperazine 30 & NTZ for 7 days in immuno-compromised mice gave much more reduction in oocysts than NTZ alone (P<0.05).

Background: Human cystic echinococcosis is a zoonosis occurring due to dogs handling and exposure to Echinococcus granulosus ova in their stools being an accidental intermediate host. Serology remains the only sure and important tool to diagnose this disease. Our objectives in this research are to improve the serodiagnostic abilities of sandwich ELISA through its binding to gold nanoparticle and proving the role of minute nanoparticles in serodiagnosis. Methods: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were employed for the capture of the antigens of protoscolices (pAg) in the patient’s serum by sandwich ELISA. Cross-reactivity for antigens from Hymenolepis nana , Entrobius vermicularis , and Fasciola gigantica was ruled out by using anti-protoscolices polyclonal antibodies (ppAb). (pAg) of sonicated protoscolices which were removed from camel lung cysts, was purified by diethyl aminoethyl Sephadex (DEAE-Sephadex) and injected to a New zealand white rabbit giving ppAb which then conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and loaded on AuNPs being used as a diagnostic indicator for circulating pAg by both sandwich ELISA and nanogold sandwich ELISA techniques. Results: Nanogold sandwich ELISA was able to give positive results with 96.3% of hydatid patients and 5% of non-hydatid patients while sandwich ELISA showed 81.4% and 20% positive cases of the same groups respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of nanogold sandwich ELISA were 96.3% & 95% against 81.5% & 80% for those of sandwich ELISA respectively. Conclusion: The conjugation of AuNPs to anti- Echinococcus IgG antibodies seems to be beneficial to maximize the sensitivity of sandwich ELISA, reduce the overall cost of the assay as less antibody was needed, solve harsh buffering conditions and achieve greater stability which provides a reliable quantitation of analytes.