Identification of Leishmania Species Isolated from Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Mehran, Western Iran Using Nested PCR

Background: The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the city of Mehran has risen sharply in recent years because the city borders Iraq, which has allowed entrance of different Leishmania strains. These strains have different shapes, periods of disease, and healing of lesions. The present study identified and determined cutaneous leishmaniasis species in this region. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out by preparing slides from 92 patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions from Mehran during 2012-2013. Parasite genomic DNA was extracted and CSB2XF and CSB1XR primers were used to amplify the Leishmania minicircle kDNA regions. The parasite species were detected by specific 13Z and LIR primers by applying nested PCR technique. Results: All banding patterns were diagnosed as L. major parasite by comparison of standard models with amplified fragments 560 bp in length from bands. The patients were 56.5% male and 43.5% female. The most frequently-infected age group was the 21-30 years group at a rate of 27.2%. About 56.3% of patients had a single lesion and a significant correlation was observed between age and number of lesions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The nested PCR technique was shown to be an effective method with high sensitivity and specificity for identification of human Leishmania parasites. Molecular analysis revealed that parasites isolated from Mehran were identified as L. major and the disease was rural in form

Antimalarial evaluation of selected medicinal plant extracts used in Iranian traditional medicine

Objective(s): In an attempt to discover new natural active extracts against malaria parasites, the present study evaluated the antiplasmodial properties of selected plants based on Iranian traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: Ten plant species found in Iran were selected and collected based on the available literature about the Iranian traditional medicine. The methanolic extracts of these plants were investigated for in vitro antimalarial properties against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and multi-drug resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Their in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice was also determined. Cytotoxicity tests were carried out using the Raji cells line using the MTT assay. The extracts were phytochemically screened for their active constituents. Results: According to the IC50 and selectivity index (SI) values, of the 10 selected plant species, Citrullus colocynthis, Physalis alkekengi, and Solanum nigrum displayed potent in vitro antimalarial activity against both 3D7 and K1 strains with no toxicity (IC50= 2.01-18.67 µg/ml and SI=3.55 to 19.25).  Comparisons between treated and untreated control mice showed that the mentioned plant species reduced parasitemia by 65.08%, 57.97%, and 60.68%, respectively.  The existence of antiplasmodial compounds was detected in these plant extracts. Conclusion: This was the first study to highlight the in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial effects of             C. colocynthis, P. alkekengi, and S. nigrum in Iran. Future studies can use these findings to design further biological tests to identify the active constituents of the mentioned plant species and clarify their mechanism of action

Esophagus cancer geographical distribution, incidence, mortality and their world Human Development Index (HDI) relationship: an ecology study in 2018

Objective: Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world. About 80% of cases occur in less developed regions. The study purposed to investigate the epidemiology of esophageal cancer incidence and mortality in 185 countries and its relation with HDI in 2018. Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was developed based on cancer incidence and mortality data extraction from the World Bank for Cancer in 2018. The incidence and mortality rates and esophagus cancer distribution maps were drawn for World countries. To analyze data, correlation and regression tests were used to evaluate the relationship between the incidence and mortality with HDI. The statistical analysis was carried out by Stata-14, and the significance level was estimated at 0.05 level. Results: The highest and the lowest esophageal cancer incidences were in the Asian continent (N=444597; 77.7%) and the Oceania continent (N=2315; 0.4%). The most esophageal cancer incidence and mortality was in high HDI regions. A negative and significant correlation was observed between incidence (R = -0.143, p <0.05) and mortality (R = 0.234, p <0.05) of esophagus cancer and HDI. Furthermore, there was a negative and significant correlation between incidence rate and LEB (r = -0.16, p <0.05). Also, the results showed a negative and significant correlation between mortality rate and GNI (r = 0.1, p <0.05), MYS (r = -0.17, p <0.05), LEB (r = -0.23, p <0.05) and EYS (r = -0.15, p <0.05). Conclusions: There is a negative correlation between esophageal cancer incidence and mortality as well as the HDI index, improving the HDI can be effective in reducing of the cancer incidence and mortality

Prevalence and epidemiologic profile of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic focus, Southwestern Iran

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the cutaneous leishmaniasis prevalence in Shadegan County, Iran, during 2007–2009.MethodsThis is a descriptive research which concentrates on the 100 patients who we referred to the Shadegan Health Center. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical exam and microscopic observation of the parasites in the lesion site. The patients' data were recorded. The statistics have examined the various epidemiological aspects of the disease by considering descriptive indices such as gender, age, occupation, month and seasonal distribution, number and site of the lesions. Information analysis was performed using SPSS software.ResultsOverall, 100 cases consisting of 32 females (32%) and 68 males (68%) were examined for the presence of active ulcers. Most of the infection was in age group 11–20 years (31%) and the lowest in 31–40 years group (7%). Most of the active ulcers were on the feet (42%). The majority (47%) had one lesion. Most of the cases (42%) had occurred during 2007. All cases were observed in the rural areas.ConclusionsThis study showed that the male sex and people under 20 years of age are mostly at risk. Therefore, education for groups at risk is very important

Review of Development of Live Vaccines against Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem in both tropical and temperate regions, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis worldwide. After recovery from the initial infection in most of the patients, a long-lasting natural immunity will be established. In individuals with HIV infection or in immune deficient patients, the more dangerous forms can occur. Despite many attempts, there is no efficient vaccine for leishmaniasis. The main concern for live-attenuated vaccines is the possibility of returning to the virulent form. Therefore, the safety is an important point in designing a successful vaccine. Nonvirulent parasites as vaccine candidates are achievable through gamma-irradiation, long-term culture, random mutations induced by chemical agents, and temperature-sensitive mutations. The type of change(s) in such parasites is not known well and drawbacks such as reversion to virulent forms was soon realized. Leishmania tarentolae with capacity of adaptation to mammalian system has a potential to be used as nonpathogenic vector in vaccine programs. Due to its nonpathogenic intrinsic property, it does not have the ability to replace with the pathogen form. Moreover, the main problems are associated with the production of live vaccines, including lyophilization, storage, standards, and quality control that must be considered. In this review, we focused on the importance of different approaches concerning the development of a live vaccine against leishmaniasis

Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants against Plasmodium falciparum and human immunodeficiency virus.

noMedicinal plants used to treat infectious diseases in Bunda district, Tanzania, were screened for activity against Plasmodium falciparum and human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1, IIIB strain) and Type 2 (HIV-2, ROD strain). Antiplasmodial activity was observed for the 80% MeOH extract of Ormocarpum kirkii (root; MIC = =31.25 ¿g/mL). Combretum adenogonium (leaves), Euphorbia tirucalli (root), Harrisonia abyssinica (root), Rhyncosia sublobata (root), Sesbania sesban (root), Tithonia diversifolia (leaves), and Vernonia cinerascens (leaves; MIC value of 62.5 ¿g/mL). With regard to HIV, 80% MeOH extracts of Barleria eranthemooides (root), Cambretum adenogonium (leaves and stem bark), Elaeodedron schlechteranum (stem bark and root bark), Lannea schweinfurthii (stem bark), Terminalia mollis (stem bark and root bark), Acacia tortilis (stem bark), Ficus cycamorus (stem bark) and Indigofera colutea (shoot), as well as H2O extracts from Barleria eranthemoides (root), Combretum adenogonium (leaves and stem bark)and Terminalia mollis (stem bark and root bark) exhibited IC50 values below 10 ¿g/mL against HIV-1 (IIIB strain). The highest anti-HIV-1 activity value was obtained for the B. eranthemoides 80% MeOH root extract (IC50 value 2.1 ¿g/mL). Only a few extracts were active against HIV-2, such as the 80% MeOH extract from Lannea schweinfurthii (stem bark) and Elaeodedron schlechteranum (root bark), showing IC50 values < 10 ¿g/mL