Antiparasitic activity of silver and copper oxide nanoparticles against Entamoeba Histolytica and Cryptosporidium Parvum cysts

Nanoparticles [NPs] have received more attention as antiparasitic agents. In the present study, silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy [SEM], transmission electron microscope [TEM] and X-ray fluorescence [XRF]. The antiparasitic activity of Ag and CuO nanoparticles were tested against two of the most environmentally spread parasites in Egypt [Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium parvum]. The average sizes of synthesized Ag NPs and CuO NPs were 9 and 29 nm respectively and a significant reduction for cysts viability [p > 0.05] was observed for CuO NPs against E. histolytica cysts and Ag NPs against C. parvum oocysts. Moreover, LC[50]-3h of CuO NPs for E. histolytica and C. parvum were 0.13 and 0.72 mg/l, while Ag NPs recorded 0.34 and 0.54 mg/l respectively. Accordingly, these NPs could be suggested as a new nanoform agent for safe and effective treatment of E. histolytica and C. parvum parasites

relation between infection of schistosoma mansoni and free amino acids and total proteins of biomphalaria alexandrina

The variation in the free amino acids and total proteins in the non- infected and infected Biomphalaria alexandrina with Schistosoma mansoni were studied. There were 17 amino acids in each of non- infected and infected snails. Most of the levels of the free amino acids and total proteins were lower in infected snails than non- infected ones. This may be due to retardation of protein metabolism developed after infection

Histological and histochemical studies on the digestive gland of bulinus truncatus infected with schistosoma haematobium

The structure of the uninfected and infected digestive gland of the freshwater snail, Bulinus truncatus, was studied histologically and histochemically. The digestive gland consists of two types of cells clearly differentiated from each other. The pathological effects of infection of the snail with cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium have resulted in considerable structural and histochemical alterations in the digestive gland. Generally, the main effects were reflected by increased cellular vacuolation and marked diminution of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids of the gland cells