The Correlation between Serum Levels of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and the Risk of Diabetes

Background: This study investigated the presence of specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii infection among people with diabetes (type I and II) in comparison with control group. Methods: Overall 300 serum samples were collected equally from three groups including patients with type I and type II diabetes and non-diabetic healthy control that referred to Tabriz Central Laboratory in northwest Iran during July to Sep 2015. The level of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method. Chi-square and One-Way ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: Overall, 300 samples from diabetic patients (type I and type II) and control group were examined and results showed 3, 8 and 2 cases were seropositive for anti- T. gondii IgM respectively. Anti- T. gondii IgG seropositivity in type I and type II diabetes and control groups were 69%, 63% and 59% respectively. We did not observe any statistical differences among all studied groups in terms of toxoplasmosis. There was no statistically significant relationship between all variables and seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies in type I and II diabetes and non-diabetic groups. Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant relationship between diabetes and toxoplasmosis further investigations especially experimental studies using animal models are needed. Furthermore, these findings would not be contrary to the need for healthcare in order to the prevention of infectious disease in diabetic patients

IL-17 and IL-22 elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding ROP13 associated with protection against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice.

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasitic protozoan, is capable of infecting man and all warm-blooded animals. Cell-mediated immunity is vital in mounting protective responses against T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that T-helper (Th) 17 responses may play a key role in parasite control. In this current study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii ROP13 in a pcDNA vector. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcROP13 or controls and challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with pcROP13 could elicit an antibody response against T. gondii. The expression of the canonical Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, were significantly increased after immunization with pcROP13 compared with control groups ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, vaccination resulted in a significant decrease in parasite load ( p < 0.05). The induction of Th17 related cytokines, using a ROP13 DNA vaccine, against T. gondii should be considered as a potential vaccine approach for the control of toxoplasmosis

The effect of keeping pet dogs and cats on Toxocariasis

Background : Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the migration or presence of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati larva in human tissues or organs. Human become infected by ingestion of soil or contaminated raw or half-cooked meat (Paratenic hosts) containing Toxocara larva. The present study was conducted to determine Toxocara infection in the dog and cat owners and compare the results with infection in individuals who do not have the history of keeping these pets. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, by random sampling, 558 (405 individuals who do not have dog and cat and 153 dog and cat owners) of 2-20 years old persons were selected in Tabriz during 2009-2010. Serum samples were investigated using ELISA method for the presence of anti-toxocara antibodies and data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Totally, 162 samples (94 from people in contact and 68 from people without any contact with dog and cat) had anti-toxocara IgG. Total of 558 individual samples (235 men and 323 female) 396(70.96%) were negative and 162(29.03%) were positive. There were no significant association between Toxocara infection and gender (P=0.275). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, much of the dogs and cats owners were exposed to parasite. Training of dogs and cats owners, promotion of their awareness about various ways of transmission and examination of the infections in dogs and cats and prevention of these infections are recommended

A Review of effectual factors in the Pathogenesis of Leishmania Parasites

Leishmania parasites as the causative agent of leishmaniasis belong to Trypanosomatidae family. Parasite, vector, vertebrate host and environment are major factors in pathogenesis of Leishmania.  Parasite dependent factors are virulence factors which exist in Leishmania species such as LPG, GP63. In recent years, the importance of these factors in the field of vaccine and drug has been considered by researchers. Sand fly biting behavior and salivary gland proteins are vector dependent factors which are effective in the Leishmania pathogenesis. Age, gender, nutrition, immune system, infectious diseases, genetic, occupation, socio-economic characteristics, and habitat are vertebrate host mediated factors. Temperature, rainfall, wind and its speed, soil, and continuous changes in climate are also environmental factors. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenesis of Leishmania parasites

Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Chicken, Beef, and Lamb Meat Consumed in Northwestern Iran

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, the obligate, intracellular parasite afflicts human in diverse ways such as ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma isolated from meat samples being consumed in East Azerbaijan, Northwest of Iran. Methods: Overall, 150 samples including chicken, beef and lamb meat were collected from retailers in different regions of Tabriz, northwestern Iran during April to September 2014. Molecular detection was done by amplifying B1 gene and T. gondii surface antigen 2 (SAG2) loci. For genotyping of T. gondii, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed using Sau3AI and HhaI restriction enzymes. Finally, three positive isolate from each host was sequenced to evaluate and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Overall, 26 (17.33%) samples were positive for T. gondii including 4 (8%) isolate from chicken, 8 (16%) isolates from cattle and 14 (28%) isolates from sheep. According to the RFLP patterns, sequencing and phylogenetic results, all of the samples were identified as genotype I. Conclusion: The results indicated a potential risk of transmission of the disease through the consumption of infected meat. This is particularly important especially for pregnant women and immuno-compromised patients and this suggests that the training on the prevention of infection is necessary

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Diseases in HIV Patients in Tabriz(Original article)

Background: Opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, Isospora belli, Blastocystis, etc. cause various gastrointestinal and non-digestive diseases in people with HIV. These symptoms are especially severe in people with HIV who have a CD4 count of less than 200. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in people living with HIV in Tabriz. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on137 people with HIV referred to Behavioral Disease Counseling Centers in Tabriz, 2019-2021. Then, after receiving written consent, fecal samples were collected and evaluated for the detection of parasitic infections using direct methods, Ziehl-Neelsen and Trichrome Weber stain. Results: A total of 137 stool samples were collected, including 93 males and 44 females. Most of them were in the age range of 20-60 years. The overall frequency of parasitic infections was 57.7% and the highest prevalence was related to Blastocystis 24.1% and Cryptosporidium 14.6%. Conclusion: Due to the relatively high prevalence of parasitic infections, especially Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium in people with HIV in Tabriz, which can endanger the health of these patients, essential interventions, including personal hygiene training to control and prevent infection with these pathogens, seem to be necessary

Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba Isolates from Surface Resting Waters in Northwest Iran

Background: Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic amphizoic protozoan found in different fresh water sources. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Acanthamoeba isolates from surface resting waters, in Northwest Iran. Methods: Samples were collected from twenty-two different areas, between May and Sep 2014. After filtration, samples were cultivated on non-nutrient agar. The extracted DNAs were amplified and sequenced using partial 18S rRNA in order to genotype and phylogenetic analyses. Results: Thirty-four (68%) out of 50 collected samples were positive for free-living amoebae based on both culture and morphological characterizations but 28 samples were identified as Acanthamoeba spp. by PCR. Sequentially, one isolate was identified as A. lenticulata, (T5) (AN: KP940443, identity 99.7%-100%, and divergence 0.3%) whilst other sequenced isolates identified Acanthamoeba spp. (AN: KP940444-45) as very similar to A. rhysodes and A. royreba with identity 100% and divergence 0%. Conclusion: Surface resting waters in Northwest Iran, were potentially contaminated with pathogenic amphizoic protozoan. Further studies will be required to determine other Acanthamoeba species and genotypes in the region

Genetic Diversity of Echinococcus granulosus Isolated from Humans: A Comparative Study in Two Cystic Echinococcosis Endemic Areas, Turkey and Iran

Mahami-Oskouei, Mahmoud/0000-0001-5169-5429; Shahriari (Sarkari), Bahador/0000-0003-2045-9057; HALIDI, AHMED GALIP/0000-0002-1780-6671; AYDEMIR, SELAHATTIN/0000-0002-0941-2779; Barazesh, Afshin/0000-0002-1959-9127WOS:000533299200001PubMed: 32420334Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Based on molecular studies and DNA sequencing, E. granulosus has been classified into 10 different genotypes (G1 to G10). Two neighboring countries, Turkey and Iran, are considered the two main foci of CE in the Middle East. The current study is aimed at examining the genotype diversity of E. granulosus isolated from human clinical samples in Turkey and Iran. Surgically removed human hydatid cysts were collected from East Azerbaijan and Fars provinces in Iran and Van province in Turkey. After extracting DNA, performing PCR, targeting the cox1 gene, the PCR products were purified from the gel and were sequenced from both directions. The sequences were aligned and compared, using BioEdit and also the BLAST program of GenBank. The maximum likelihood tree was constructed based on the Tamura-Nei model, using the MEGAX software. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the human isolated samples were classified into two major clades: G1 (from Iran and Turkey) and G3 (5 samples from northwestern Iran and one sample from Turkey). The mean and degree of genetic divergence (K2P) between the two major clades, G1 and G3, were 0.2% and 0.7 +/- 0.4%, respectively. The findings of the current study revealed that the sheep strain (G1) and the less important strain G3 have major roles in the transmission cycle of CE in two neighboring countries, Iran and Turkey. Therefore, it is necessary to interpose the life cycle of this parasite and reduce the disease burden in livestock and humans by adopting common regional preventive and control policies.National Institute for Medical Research Development, Islamic Republic of Iran (NIMAD) [971224]This study was financially supported by the National Institute for Medical Research Development, Islamic Republic of Iran (NIMAD) (Elite Grants, Grant No. 971224)

IL-17 and IL-22 elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding ROP13 associated with protection against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice.

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasitic protozoan, is capable of infecting man and all warm-blooded animals. Cell-mediated immunity is vital in mounting protective responses against T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that T-helper (Th) 17 responses may play a key role in parasite control. In this current study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii ROP13 in a pcDNA vector. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcROP13 or controls and challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with pcROP13 could elicit an antibody response against T. gondii. The expression of the canonical Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, were significantly increased after immunization with pcROP13 compared with control groups ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, vaccination resulted in a significant decrease in parasite load ( p < 0.05). The induction of Th17 related cytokines, using a ROP13 DNA vaccine, against T. gondii should be considered as a potential vaccine approach for the control of toxoplasmosis