In the study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNOPs) at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg were tested for their antimicrobial action against the oocysts of Eimeria tenella. The oocysts of E. tenella were isolated from the feces of broilers received at the veterinary hospital in Diwaniyah Province and initially diagnosed by compound optical microscopy. The oocysts were confirmed molecularly by polymerase chain reaction targeting the ITS1 gene with a molecular weight of 409 bp. The results in the first week showed that ZNOP concentrations of 20 and 40 mg/kg possess various activities against E. tenella, while 60 mg/kg was the most effective in reducing excreted oocysts compared to the positive control and amprolium group, along with the appearance of mild symptoms and a mortality rate of 0.8%. In the second week of infection, excreted oocysts and mortality rates generally decreased in all treated groups. A comparison of all groups showed that the 60 mg/kg ZNOP-treated group had a significantly lower number of excreted oocysts, and all birds in this group recovered during the second week of infection. These findings revealed the prospect of using ZNOPs against E. tenella in challenging situations of the appearance of resistance to anticoccidial agents.
The current study aimed to investigate parasites in some animals located in Al-Mahaweel reserve located north of Babel Governorate in central Iraq during the winter season. In the study, 261 fecal samples were collected from six species of animals, including Dama dama, Gazelle subgutturosa, Gazelle gazelle, and Macaca sp. and two types of birds are ostrich, Struthio camelus, and peacock, Pavo cristatus to investigate Parasitic infections. Entamoeba recorded the highest infection rate of 81%, followed by cryptosporidium spp. with an infection rate of 42%, Isospora sp. 40%, and the lower rate of infection with the Balantidium sp. of 28.57%, Ascaris sp. of 22.85%, Toxocara canis 20%, and one ectoparasite, Hyalomma Marginatum on ostriches with a rate of 16%. This study showed that parasitic infections are widespread in captive animals in the winter season, and they are among the dangerous causes for the health of these animals. Where it is necessary to conduct more studies to examine the mechanism of transmission of parasites among protected animals.
Objective:
Owing to side effects, drug resistance and recurrence of Echinococcus granulosus infestation following conventional therapies, seeking novel therapeutic approaches such as herbal medicines seems necessary. The aim of this study was assessment the antiparasitic and immunomodulatory effects of Cinnamomum camphora and Ziziphora tenuior herbal medicines against E. granulosus protoscolices.
Methods:
Various concentrations of extracts were prepared including 3, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml. BALB/c mice liver samples were obtained from slaughter house and the protoscolices were taken under sterile conditions. Mouse CD11c + CD11c + dendritic cells were purified from other mononuclear cells and confirmed by flow cytometry.
Results:
C. camphora and Z. tenuior exhibited dose-dependent and time-dependent antiparasitic effects against E. granulosus protoscolices. Notably, the effect of C. camphora was higher than Z. tenuior. The 5 mg/ml of C. camphora and 25 mg/ml of Z. tenuior killed 100% of protoscolices during 10 min. Extracts had insignificant macrophage cytotoxicity in MTT assay. Z. tenuior at 10 and 50 mg/ml decreased CD86 (P = 0.212) and MHC II (P = 0.0711) markers, but increased CD40 (P = 0.181) and at 100 mg/ml increased CD40 (P = 0.002), CD86 (P = 0.091) and MHC II (P = 0.113). Furthermore, C. camphora at 10 and 50 mg/ml increased CD40 (P = 0.0311) and MHC II (P = 0.0184) significantly. At these concentrations, decreased CD86 nonsignificantly, but at 100 mg/ml decreased all markers significantly (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
C. camphora and Z. tenuior herbal medicines exerted substantial antiparasitic effects against hydatid cyst protoscolices. Future formulations of these herbal medicines will be promising because of low side effects and potential effects.
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