Chemical composition and scolicidal activity of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil

Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae) commonly grows in Iran is a popular medicinal plant with various pharmacological activities mentioned in traditional Iranian medicine and modern phytotherapy. This study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition and scolicidal effects of Z. multiflora essential oil on the protoscoleces of hydatid cysts on an in vitro model. The components of the Z. multiflora essential oil were identified by GC/MS analysis. Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from the livers of naturally infected sheep. Various concentrations of essential oil, thymol and carvacrol were used for 5–30 minutes. Eosin exclusion test was used to determine the viability of protoscoleces. The main components were thymol (41.8%), carvacrol (28.8%), and p-cymene (8.4%). Findings showed that essential oil at the concentrations of 12.5 and 6.25 μL/mL killed 100% protoscoleces after 5 and 20 minutes of exposure, respectively. In addition, thymol and carvacrol at the concentrations of 100 μg/mL and 100 μL/mL killed 100% protoscoleces after 10 minutes incubation, respectively. Obtained results in this investigation for the first time demonstrated that Z. multiflora essential oil and its main components might be a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent

A conventional PCR for differentiating common taeniid species of dogs based on in silico microsatellite analysis

Canine taeniids are among the major tapeworms with remarkable medical and economic significance. Reliable diagnosis and differentiation of dog taeniids using simple and sensitive tools are of paramount importance for establishing an efficient surveillance system. Microsatellites as abundant unique tandem repeats of short DNA motifs are useful genetic markers for molecular epidemiological studies. The purpose of the present study was to find a primer pair for rapid differentiation of major tapeworms of dogs, Taenia hydatigena, T. multiceps, T. ovis and Echinococcus granulosus, by screening existing nucleotide data. All the mitochondrial genome records as well as non-coding ITS1 sequences of Taeniidae species were downloaded from Nucleotide database from NCBI. For prediction and analysis of potential loci of STR/SSR in ITS1 as well as mitochondrial regions, we used ChloroMitoSSRDB 2.0 and GMATo v1.2. software. Different tapeworm species were categorized according to different motif sequences and type and size of each microsatellite locus. Three primer sets were designed and tested for differentiating taeniid species and evaluated in a conventional PCR system. Four taeniid species were successfully differentiated using a primer pair in a simple conventional PCR system. We predicted 2-19 and 1-4 microsatellite loci in ITS1 and mitochondrial genome, respectively. In ITS1, 41 Di and 21 Tri motifs were found in the taeniids while the majority of the motifs in the mitochondrial genome were Tetra (89) and Tri (70). It is documented that the number and diversity of microsatellite loci is higher in nuclear ITS1 region than mostly coding mitochondrial genome

Severe lophomoniasis in a patient with diabetes and past history of COVID-19 in Central Iran: case report

In this case report, we address the diagnostic challenges and clinical implications of severe infection with Lophomonas blattarum in a patient initially suspected of experiencing long COVID symptoms. We describe the patient's medical history, initial symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment. A female patient with diabetes in her early 60s presented with severe shortness of breath and was initially diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). After resolution of her DKA symptoms, persistent respiratory issues led to a COVID-19 test, which was negative. A chest computed tomography scan revealed abnormalities, prompting bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, which confirmed the presence of L. blattarum . Notably, the protozoan remained mobile and viable even after a 4-day transport at ambient temperature. This case emphasizes the importance of considering alternative diagnoses and improving awareness about L. blattarum infection in patients with respiratory symptoms, for timely and accurate management

Efficacy of Pistacia khinjuk Fruits on Viability of Hydatid Cyst Protoscoleces and Its Acute Toxicity in Mice Model

Background: This investigation aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effects of Pistacia khinjuk methanolic extract against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts and its acute toxicity in mice NMRI model. Methods: Protoscoleces were aseptically extracted from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (12.5- 100 mg/mL) were used for 10 to 60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed using eosin exclusion test (0.1% eosin staining). Twenty-four male NMRI mice were used to assess the acute toxicity of P. khinjuk. Results: P. khinjuk extract at the concentrations of 100 mg/mL after 10 min of exposure killed 100% of protoscoleces. Similarly, the mean of mortality rate of protoscoleces after 20 min of exposure to the concentration of 50 mg/mL was 100%. The LD50 of the intraperitoneal injection of the P. khinjuk methanolic extract was 2.8 g/kg and the maximum non-fatal dose was 1.7 g/kg. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated effective scolicidal effects of P. khinjuk extract with no considerable toxicity that might be a natural source for the producing of new scolicidal agent

The Potential Use of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: In Vitro Assays against Sensitive and Meglumine Antimoniate-resistant Strains of Leishmania tropica

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of methotrexate (MTX) alone and in combination with meglumine antimoniate (MA, Glucantime) against sensitive and MA-resistant Leishmania tropica stages in vitro. Methods: The present study was carried out in 2014 in Leishmaniasis Research Center at School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical sciences, Kerman, Iran. The effects of MTX alone and along with MA on promastigote and amastigote stages of sensitive (SS) and MA-resistant (RS) L. tropica strains have been evaluated using a colorimetric MTT assay and in a macrophage model, respectively. In addition, the inhibitory effect of MTX on the Leishmania invasion of murine macrophages was assessed in promastigotes of both strains of L. tropica. Sensitive and MA resistant L. tropica are referred to those isolates that are responsive or non-responsive to one or two courses of treatment by MA systemically and/or intralesionally, respectively. Results: The findings of OD and IC50 showed that MTX plus MA (SS: 16.1 μg/ml, RS: 39.8 μg/ml) had a higher anti-leishmanial effect than MA (SS: 52.2 μg/ml, RS: 170 μg/ml) or MTX alone (SS: 22.2 μg/ml, RS: 51.4 μg/ml) on promastigotes of both strains of L. tropica. The MTX plus MA caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the mean infection rate (MIR) and the mean number of amastigotes in each macrophage compared with positive control. Infectivity of promastigotes is significantly (P<0.05) reduced when it was preincubated with MTX. Conclusion: This study indicated high potency and a synergistic effect of MTX on MA in inhibiting the growth rateof promastigote and amastigote stages of sensitive and meglumine antimoniate-resistant L. tropica. Further works are needed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effects of MTX on L. tropica using a clinical setting

Iranian Hydatid Disease Registry: Establishment and Implementation of a Neglected Tropical Disease Registry

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid disease is a global public health concern which imposes considerable economic costs on the communities in endemic regions. CE surveillance data are not adequately reliable. The present study reports the development and outcomes of a CE registry in Iran. Methods: Hydatid Registry (HydatidReg) was initially established as a single-center registry in 2014 after the ethical approval of KMU. Following a call from MoHME to promote registry of different diseases and health outcomes, a call for participation was announced and all the Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences were requested to contribute to the registry. Subsequently, a nation-wide registry of hydatid disease was established in 2016. With a global perspective, HydatidReg joined the European Register of Cystic Echinococcosis (ERCE). A data collection form based on minimum dataset was designed and standard operating procedures (SOPs) were prepared to ensure standardized patient enrolment in the registry. A biobank system with two-dimensional barcoding was established along with HydatidReg for management and organization of biological specimens. Results: As of March 2021, a total of 690 patients were enrolled in the registry. HydatidReg registered 362 (17.3%) out of the total 2097 patients enrolled in ERCE. Quality control (QC) of the data demonstrated 91.2% completeness and 80% timeliness. In the biobank, 322 biological specimens from 184 CE patients have been deposited including 70 blood, 96 sera and 156 parasite materials. Conclusion: High-quality data in the HydatidReg registry provided opportunities for health professionals to improve quality of care and organize meaningful research