Background: Blastocystis species (sp.) are enteric parasites that live in both humans' and animals' gastrointestinal tracts. Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is the recognizable human isolates in clinical and diagnostic specimens. Human infection occurs via the oro-fecal route, particularly in developing areas due to a lack of sanitation and hygienic facilities. B. hominis can exist in the large intestine for weeks to years until treated appropriately. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of Blastocystis infection. However, it induces intolerable side effects and has been shown to have teratogenic and carcinogenic potential. Several medicinal plant extracts have been experimentally tested against Blastocystis infection in comparison to currently available treatments. Objective: Based on in vitro and in vivo studies, this article reviewed the anti-Blastocystis activity of some medicinal plants. Method: To conduct the research for this review, Google Scholar and PubMed were the primary search engines used to find relevant literature. A total of 19 published in vitro and in vivo studies were evaluated to identify the anti-Blastocystis effects of various medicinal plants Results: Multiplication of Blastocystis parasites as well as nucleic acids and protein synthesis, all be inhibited by extracts from different medicinal plants. These natural agents have been shown to be both safe and effective when compared to the existing treatment options. Conclusion: Different medicinal plants can combat Blastocystis infection and could be a good substitute for metronidazole and other synthetic treatments.

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Ocular parasites cause serious vision-threatening diseases. An early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to avoid side effects, such as blindness or eye removal. The first important step in diagnosing ocular parasite infections is to suspect them. Diagnosis is aided by ophthalmic examination, direct parasite identification in clinical samples and/or pathological lesions, immunoassays, and molecular methods. Despite this, ocular parasite infection diagnosis is fraught with difficulties in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The usage of nanoparticles may improve diagnosis by providing precise procedures for parasitic DNA, antigens, and antibodies detection in a variety of body specimens with fast, sensitive, and specific results. Low tolerability, long therapeutic duration, multiple adverse effects, and the emergence of medication resistance are all problems with existing anti-parasitic medications. Nanoparticles represent a promising way for the successful treatment of parasitic diseases by developing innovative drug carriers to target medications to infected sites while limiting high doses and adverse effects. They can also overcome the limitations of antiparasitic medications' low bioavailability, poor cellular permeability, non-specific distribution, and fast elimination from the body. The aim of the present chapter is to throw light on possible nanotechnology applications in ocular parasitic diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii, Acanthamoeba spp. and Toxocara spp. with a focus on diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination.

Background: Ocular toxocariasis is considered a parasitic disease of major socioeconomic importance. In spite of the high prevalence of human toxocariasis (up to 84%) among Egyptian patients, the incidence of ocular toxocariasis is underestimated. The recognition of this neglected disease would be the initial step to overcome it. Thus, this review gave updated information on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular toxocariasis. Results: Ocular toxocariasis is an important cause of unilateral vision impairment mostly in children and always in the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma. This disease exhibits various manifestations such as posterior pole granuloma, peripheral granuloma, or chronic endophthalmitis. Diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis can be carried out by the ophthalmic examination and immunodiagnostic methods to reveal the specific antibodies in serum and ocular fluids. In addition, molecular diagnosis, medical imaging techniques, and histopathologic observation of Toxocara larva in the surgically obtained specimens can be performed. Ocular toxocariasis can be treated either medically or surgically. Regarding medical treatment, the ophthalmologists prefer to use steroids and anthelminthic drugs; however, there are no standardized parameters for doses, duration, and route of administration. Conclusion: Clinical suspicion plays a leading role in the diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis, but always with other diagnostic methods. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can minimize ocular morbidity.