Immunological cross reaction between cancer cells and hydatid cyst

Background and aims: Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of the tape worm Echinococcu granulosus. Anticancer effects of some parasites have been shown. Moreover, existence of common antigens between some parasites especially hydatid cyst and cancers have been reported. So, immunological cross reaction between hydatid cyst and cancer cell antigens has been investigated in this study. Methods: In this laboratory descriptive study, different hydatid cyst antigens were prepared and antibody raised against them in rabbits. In dot immunoblotting, those antigens were probed with sera of patients with cancers (collected from Imam Hossein Hospital in Isfahan). Also, cross reaction among excretory secretory products of cancer cells and antisera raised against different hydatid cyst antigen was investigated. In order to remove carbohydrate bands of antigens, sodium periodate buffer was used. Results: Antisera raised against laminated & germinal layers of hydatid cyst reacted with excretory secretory products of cancer cells. Also, antigens of hydatid cysts reacted with cancer patients sera. Carbohydrate bands of antigens were involved in some immunological cross reactions. Conclusion: Results of this work emphasis existence of common antigens between hydatid cyst and cancers. Therefore, more study about these common antigens is recommende

Seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in Children (5-15 yr Old) Referred to the Pediatric Clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Human toxocariasis, a helminthozoonosis, is due to the migration of Toxocara species larvae into human organisms. Humans, especially children become infected by ingesting of embryonated eggs from soil, dirty hands, and raw vegetables. Seroprevalence of this infection is high in developed countries, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in children referred to the pediatric clinic of Imam Hossein hospital, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: In this cross sectional study the sera of children aged 5 to 15 years old, admitted to Imam Hossein Pediatric Hospital were collected during 2013-14. Then the sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis antibodies using commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS: From 427 children, 196 (45.9%) were female and 231(54.1%) were male. 107(25.1%) were from rural and 320 (74.9%) were from urban area. Of them 129 (30.2%) were contacted with dog. One child (0.2%) had hypereosinophilia, 33 (7.7%) eosinophlia, and 6 (1.39%) were positive for T. canis IgG (two male and four female). Four of infected children with T. canis were from urban (1.25%) and two from rural areas (1.9%). There was no significant correlation between education of parents, gender, age, place of living and contact with dog with ELISA results test. CONCLUSION: Toxocariasis is prevalent in the children of Isfahan region. Results suggest a low Toxocara exposure in children in this area. Therefore, more risk factors associated with Toxocara exposure should be identified in the further investigatio

Parasites and chronic renal failure.

Suppression of the human immune system results in an increase in susceptibility to infection by various infectious agents. Conditions such as AIDS, organ transplantation and chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) are the most important cause of insufficient immune response against infections. Long term renal disorders result in uremia, which can suppress human immune system. Parasitic infections are one of the most important factors indicating the public health problems of the societies. These infections can be more hostile and life threatening in susceptible individuals than in the normal people. In these patients some parasitic infections such as blastocystiosis, cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis have been reported to be more prevalent. This review aimed to give an overview about parasitic infections in patients with renal disorders

Effect of dietary fish oil and corn oil on blood biochemical factors in diabetic Rat

Background: The potential role of omega – 3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids on blood biochemical factors are in interest and controversy. Some experiences showed that omega – 3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids have a potential effect on triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in diabetes mellitus. Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (one normal group and three diabetic groups). Induction of diabetes was done by streptozotocin [50mg/kg, s.c. (STZ)]. In diabetic groups, one group was Control, received STZ alone, and the other diabetic groups were fed with fish oil or corn oil for 8 weeks after 4 weeks of induction of diabetes. Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL- choleserol and HDL-cholesterol were measured at 4 and 8 weeks after intervention. Results: Fish oil and corn oil diets had an inhibitory effect on increased plasma glucose in diabetic rat by 46.8% and 40.7%, respectively. Diabetic rats in the control group demonstrated increased plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels, but plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly decreased and HDL-cholesterol level was increased by both diets in interventional groups. Conclusion: Corn oil and fish oil supplementation have a role on plasma glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. To understand the functional mechanisms of these diets, further studies remain to be accomplished

A case report of Linguatula serrata infestation from rural area of Isfahan city, Iran

Linguatulosis occurs accidentally in human by ingestion of raw or undercooked visceral tissues of sheep, goat, camel, and other herbivores. In this case report, 2 patients from an Afghan family infested with this parasite in rural area of Isfahan, Iran are presented. Clinical signs and symptoms including pricking sensation in throat, coughing, sneezing, yellow nasal and ears discharges, which started 2-3 hours after eating raw goat liver. Nymphs of Linguatula serrata were isolated from their tongues and later, several more parasites were discharged by coughing and sneezing. An ancient belief about nutritional benefits of eating raw liver may causes more Halzoun syndrome in future

Common antigens between hydatid cyst and cancers

Background: Different research groups reported a negative correlation between cancers and parasitical infections. As an example, the prevalence of a hydatid cyst among patients with cancer was significantly lower than its prevalence among normal population. Tn antigens exist both in cancer and hydatid cyst. This common antigen may be involved in the effect of parasite on cancer growth. So in this work, common antigens between hydatid cyst and cancers have been investigated. Materials and Methods: Different hydatid cyst antigens including hydatid fluid, laminated and germinal layer antigens, and excretory secretory antigens of protoscolices were run in SDS PAGE and transferred to NCP paper. In western immunoblotting, those antigens were probed with sera of patients with different cancer and also sera of non-cancer patients. Also, cross reaction among excretory secretory products of cancer cells and antisera raised against different hydatid cyst antigen was investigated. Results: In western immunoblotting, antisera raised against laminated and germinal layers of hydatid cyst reacted with excretory secretory products of cancer cells. Also, a reaction was detected between hydatid cyst antigens and sera of patients with some cancers. Conclusion: Results of this work emphasize existence of common antigens between hydatid cyst and cancers. More investigation about these common antigens is recommended

Prevalence of toxoplasma gondii and the level of IL8 in patients with Celiac disease

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually detected by using immunoglobulin IgG and IgM antibodies in different populations. This parasite is implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (CD). In the present study the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and the level of IL8 in patients with Celiac disease were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study in 2013, 150 patients with CD diagnosis were selected by using questionnaire and the presence of antibodies specific for Toxoplasma gondii (IgG, IgM) was detected by ELISA. On the other hand the level of IL8 was detected using available commercial kit. Results: patients (n=59, 39.9%) were positive for anti-toxoplasma IgG. On the other hand, only 2 of them were positive for IgM antibodies, which did not show statistical correlation to the disease (1.4%, P = 0.65). The mean level of IL8 was 176.38 (SD=191.79) in 150 CD patients, which did not show a statistical significant correlation between the mean level of IL8 and celiac disease (P=0.001). Conclusion: Like other studies showing that intestinal infection can help to develop celiac disease in susceptible individuals, our results also revealed that Toxoplasma gondii infection can increase the risk of developing celiac disease