Promising antileishmanial effectiveness of doxorubicin and Doxil against Leishmania major: An in vitro assay

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of doxorubicin and its pegylated liposomal formulation (Doxil, Caelyx) on in vitro susceptibility of promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania major.@*METHODS@#Throughout in vitro assays the IC was calculated in the promastigotes and amastigotes forms in J774 macrophage cell line. Also as cytotoxicity in J774 cell line macrophages.@*RESULTS@#Doxorubicin and Doxil showed the same activity against promastigote form with IC values of 10.49 μg/mL and 9.63 μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, the amastigote stage was susceptible at concentration of at least 1 μg/mL when compared to positive control (P < 0.0001). Also, cytotoxicity assay against macrophage revealed no toxicity on the host cells at IC concentrations.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings demonstrated the efficacy of both doxorubicin and its pegylated liposomal formulation on L. major at low concentrations. Further researches are needed for evaluating the safety of drugs in animal model particularly as topical formulation.

Birds and poultries toxoplasmosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the overall prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among birds and poultries in Iran.@*METHODS@#Data were systematically collected from 1983 to 2016 in Iran on the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, and Scientific Information Database. Additionally, the abstracts of national scientific congresses and dissertations were included.@*RESULTS@#A total of 20 articles in the field of birds and poultries toxoplasmosis, totally examining 4563 cases with 754 positive results reporting the overall prevalence of infection from all parts of Iran could fulfill our eligibility criteria. The overall estimated prevalence included in chicken 20% (95% CI: 3%-38%) in chicken, pigeons 8% (95% CI: -17%-33%) and in sparrows 15% (95% CI: -25%-54%).@*CONCLUSION@#Although there is a lack in data about poultries and birds toxoplasmosis in Iran, our meta-analysis revealed that infection rate is high among birds and poultries in Iran. More studies are needed to manage controlling programs and prevention strategies among poultries in Iran.

Promising antileishmanial effectiveness of doxorubicin and Doxil against Leishmania major: An in vitro assay

Objective To evaluate the effect of doxorubicin and its pegylated liposomal formulation (Doxil, Caelyx) on in vitro susceptibility of promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania major. Methods Throughout in vitro assays the IC

Birds and poultries toxoplasmosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the overall prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among birds and poultries in Iran. Methods Data were systematically collected from 1983 to 2016 in Iran on the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, and Scientific Information Database. Additionally, the abstracts of national scientific congresses and dissertations were included. Results A total of 20 articles in the field of birds and poultries toxoplasmosis, totally examining 4563 cases with 754 positive results reporting the overall prevalence of infection from all parts of Iran could fulfill our eligibility criteria. The overall estimated prevalence included in chicken 20% (95% CI: 3%–38%) in chicken, pigeons 8% (95% CI: −17%–33%) and in sparrows 15% (95% CI: −25%–54%). Conclusion Although there is a lack in data about poultries and birds toxoplasmosis in Iran, our meta-analysis revealed that infection rate is high among birds and poultries in Iran. More studies are needed to manage controlling programs and prevention strategies among poultries in Iran.

Isolation and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. as Neglected Parasites in North of Iran

Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is widely distributed in the environment, water sources, soil, dust, and air. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene and also fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the distribution and genotypes of the potentially pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba present in water sources in north of Iran. Total 43 Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 77 water samples taken from different water sources within the Mazandaran province in Northern Iran (Sari city and suburbs). Isolates were identified based on cyst and trophozoite morphological characteristics as well genetics. PCR fragments corresponding to the small-subunit 18S rRNA gene were sequenced for 20 of 43 positive isolates. The results revealed that 83.3% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T2 genotype. Our results indicated that Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in Sari city. As the incidence in Iran of amoebic keratitis has increased in recent years, the exact estimation of the prevalence of this amoeba and its predominant genotype may play a crucial role in prevention of the disease. Sari city has several rivers, seashores, and natural recreational amenities, which attract visitors during the year. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba genotypes from water sources in Sari city, Mazandaran province of Iran, and the results suggest that more attention is needed to protect the visiting population and immunocompromised individuals.

Cattle toxoplasmosis in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze and review the overall seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in cattle from Iran.@*METHODS@#In the current study, data collection (published and unpublished papers, abstracts of national scientific congresses and dissertations) using particular terms was carried out systematically on the following electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Science Direct, Scopus, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex and SID (Scientific Information Database).@*RESULTS@#A total of 22 studies since 1983 to 2012 reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in cattle from different regions of Iran met our eligibility criteria. The pooled proportion of toxoplasmosis, using random effect model, among cattle in Iran from over the 30-year period was estimated 18.1% (95% CI: 9.9% to 28.2%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study firstly establishes a crude seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma infection in cattle which can lead us to understand the condition of cattle toxoplasmosis, which have to take into accounted for an appropriate and effective prevention and controls. Secondly, it compares and discusses elaborately the role of risk factors including sex, age and breed in the epidemiology of the disease. Thus, it determines gaps and drawbacks in the prior studies which are greatly useful to design more accurate investigations in the future.

Cattle toxoplasmosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To analyze and review the overall seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii (. T. gondii) infection in cattle from Iran. Methods: In the current study, data collection (published and unpublished papers, abstracts of national scientific congresses and dissertations) using particular terms was carried out systematically on the following electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Science Direct, Scopus, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex and SID (Scientific Information Database). Results: A total of 22 studies since 1983 to 2012 reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in cattle from different regions of Iran met our eligibility criteria. The pooled proportion of toxoplasmosis, using random effect model, among cattle in Iran from over the 30-year period was estimated 18.1% (95% CI: 9.9% to 28.2%). Conclusions: This study firstly establishes a crude seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma infection in cattle which can lead us to understand the condition of cattle toxoplasmosis, which have to take into accounted for an appropriate and effective prevention and controls. Secondly, it compares and discusses elaborately the role of risk factors including sex, age and breed in the epidemiology of the disease. Thus, it determines gaps and drawbacks in the prior studies which are greatly useful to design more accurate investigations in the future.

Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasitic infections among mentally retarded residents in central institution of southern Iran

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among mentally retarded residents of rehabilitation center of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, southern Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was carried out in central rehabilitation institute of Hormozgan province in summer 2010. Fecal samples of all 133 residents (72 males, 61 females) aged 3-52, were collected in triplicate. Specimens were examined by direct smear, formalin-ether concentration techniques and stained by permanent Trichrome, Ziehl-Neelsen stains. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 13.5.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intestinal parasitic infections were seen in 48.5% (64 out of 133 subjects: 53.4% in males and 46.6% in females). Strongyloides stercoralis with 17.3% showed the highest incidence followed by Entamoeba coli (9.8%), Blastocystis hominis (7.5%), Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Endolimax nana (2.3%), Hymenolepis nana (0.8%), Oxyuris vermicularis (0.8%), and Chilomasix mesnili (0.8%). Double infections were found to be as: Strongyloides stercoralis + Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Entamoeba coli + Giardia lamblia (1.5%), Entamoeba coli + Blastocystis hominis (1.5%), Oxyuris vermicularis + Entamoeba coli (0.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis + Entamoeba coli (0.8%), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings reveal that strongyloidiasis is a common disease among mentally retarded population in southern Iran.</p>