Immunological effects of Leishmania major secretory and excretory products on cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice

To evaluate the immunological properties of Leishmania major excreted- secreted [E-S] products on the progress of leishmaniasis in susceptible BALB/c mice. Promastigotes of the Leishmania major were cultured and E-S products were collected during the culture preiod. Groups of BALB/c mice [n = 12] were immunized with E-S products or whole antigen. Animals were challenged with promastigotes of stationary phase culture, then mortality was followed up to 6 months. In another group of animals drainage lymph nods cells were removed and cultured for cytokines assay. Activity of acteylcholinesters [AChE] and acid phosphatase [ACP] incresed time dependently. Using SDS-PAGE two major protein bands of 110 and 75 kDa were seen on the gel. Wound diameter in group receiving 24 h E-S products was significantly lower than the other experimental groups [P< 0.05]. During the first 4 months of the follow up no mortality was seen in this group, but mortality was started in the second months of the challenge in other groups. The IL-4 and IL-10 level in whole Ag group were significantly higher than the other groups. In cells from animals receiving 24 h E-S products the IL-2 level was significantly higher than the other experimental groups [P< 0.05]. Also the IFN g level was significantly higher both in 24 h E-S and whole Ag groups [P< 0.01]. The 24 h E-S group corresponded with small wounds, dominant Th1 cytokines response and low level of mortality

survey on malaria and some related factors in South East of Caspian Sea

Malaria is a major cause of ill health in many tropics and subtropics. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence rate [PR] and age, sex, geographic distribution of disease and anopheline vectors in south east of Caspian Sea. This is a cross-sectional study in three regions. Data collected included clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory blood film findings for one year. Total catch were made for identification of anopheles vector. Prevalence rate of malaria was 96 in 1000 persons in slope and mountain areas. Mean age of patients was 22.5 years [SD=18]. Most patients were seen and recorded in summer. Infection with Plasmodium vivax [PV] was 61 percent, Plasmodium Falciparum [PF] was 20.7 percent and mixed [PV+PF] was 18.3 percent respectively. The proportion of disease in male was 53 percent and in female 47 percent. Total 348 Anophelines were detected. The highest and lowest proportion of anophelines were [70.6%] Anophele marten and [7.4%] Anophele algeriensis respectively. This study shows that Anophele superpictus was as Anopheline vector. Malaria patients were seen only in slope and mountain areas. Most patients [61%] were infected by PV. Sex differences were not statistically significant [p>0.05]. During the transmission season, all non-immune travellers should use malaria chemoprophylaxis before visiting these areas

Effect of garlic extract on cutaneous leishmaniasis and the role of nitric oxide

The production of nitric oxide [NO] is important in the final outcome of leishmaniasis in animal models. The efficacy of garlic therapy and a combination of garlic and vitamin A were compared with an antimonial drug [glucantime] to assess healing and regulation of NO release in mice infected with Leishmania major. The mice were subjected to 3 105 promastigotes and allowed to induce a lesion. The mice were treated with above compounds twice a day for 45 days. The diameter of the lesion was measured on days 1, 10, 20, 30 and 45. In a separate experiment, NO release by peritoneal macrophages was measured. The diameter of lesion was reduced by aqueous extract of garlic within 30 days of treatment. However, the maximum reduction was induced when mice were subjected to vitamin A for 10 days before the administration of the aqueous extract for 30 days. A significant correlation between healing and the amount of NO release was also found. A combination of aqueous extract of garlic and vitamin A can treat leishmanisis