Genotyping of toxoplasma gondii isolates from soil samples in Tehran, Iran

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm blooded nucleated cells. One of the ways for human infection is ingestion of oocysts directly from soil or via infected fruits or vegetables. To survey the potential role of T. gondii oocyst in soil samples, the present study was conducted in Tehran City, Iran. A total of 150 soil samples were collected around rubbish dumps, children's play ground, parks and public places. Oocysts recovery was performed by sodium nitrate flotation method on soil samples. For molecular detection, PCR reaction targeting B1 gene was performed and then, the positive results were confirmed using repetitive 529 bp DNA fragment in other PCR reaction. Finally, the positive samples were genotyped at the SAG2 locus. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 13 soil samples. After genotyping and RFLP analysis in SAG2 locus, nine positive samples were revealed type III, one positive sample was type I whereas three samples revealed mixed infection [type, I and III]. The predominant genotype in Tehran soil samples is type III

Mini-Exon genotyping of leishmania species in khuzestan province, southwest Iran

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease cause by Leishmania genus. Anthroponotic and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis by mini-exon gene in five regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. From 2007 to 2008 in this cross-sectional study, cutaneous samples were collected from patients referred to Health Centers and Hospitals of the Khuzestan Province for cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis and cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle [NNN] and RPMI 1640. The propagated promastigotes were harvested and Leishmania species of cutaneous leishmaniasis were identified by RFLP and DNA sequencing of the PCR generated fragments. L. major and L. tropica were the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis by predominantly of L. major species. The alignment of the mini-exon sequencing isolates with reported sequencing of L. major and L. tropica revealed 92%-99% identity. Our study showed that mini-exon PCR-RFLP was useful method to identify the causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Induction of apoptosis by miltefosine in Iranian strain of Leishmania infantum promastigotes

Miltefosine is a new drug of choice for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Numerous experimental studies have shown miltefosine is effective on Leishmania donovani, however, effectiveness of miltefosine in treatment of L infantum is not fully understood. The aims of the present study were to evaluate cytotoxic effects of miltefosine on Iranian strain of L infantum, and to determine its 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] as well as lethal dose. Anti-L. infantum activity of miltefosine was studied by treatment of cultured promastigotes with various concentration of miltefosine. MTT assay was used to determine L infantum viability and the results were expressed as IC50. Annexin-V FLUOS staining was performed to study apoptotic properties of this drug by using FACS flow cytometry. Miltefosine led to dose-dependent death of L. infantum with features compatible with apoptosis including cell shrinkage, DNA laddering, and externalization of phosphatidylserine with preservation of integrity of plasma membrane. The 100% effect was achieved at 22 micro M and IC50 after 48 hours of incubation was 7 micro M. Miltefosine exerts cytotoxic effect on Iranian strain of L. infantum via an apoptosis-related mechanism

Frequency of intestinal parasites in Tehran

For a long time, intestinal parasite infections are among the major problems of public health in Iran. Our aim was epidemiological studies on the frequency of intestinal parasites in patients referred to three hospitals in Tehran during 2007-2008. During 2007-2008, by simple random selection, 1000 stool samples were collected from Milad, Hazrat-e-Rasoul and Shahid Fahmideh hospitals in Tehran, Iran. We examined the samples using direct smear, formol-ethyl acetate concentration, Agar-plate culture and Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. The frequency of intestinal parasites were: Blastocystis hominis 12.8%, Giardia lamblia 2.5%, Entamoeba coli 4.8%, lodamoeba butschlli 0.9%, unknown 4 nuclei cysts 0.4%, Endolimax nana 3.2%, Chilomastix mesnili 0.4%, Strongyloides stercoralis 0.1%, Hymenolepis nana 0.2% and Taenia saginata 0.2%. Coccidian parasites were not found. Results show that infection with intestinal parasites does not statistically significant according to sex and age. The intestinal parasites, especially helminthic infections have been decreased during recent years

[Efficacy of different immunization methods against leishmania parasite in order to prophylaxis of leishmaniasis]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a disease with different clinical manifestation produced by the genus leishmania. Eradication of the disease has proven to be difficult. Chemotherapy has only a modest effect and there is no effective and safe vaccine against any from of clinical leishmaniasis. However, individuals who recovered naturally from infection develop strong immunity against reinfection suggesting that vaccination against leishmaniasis is feasible

Materials and Methods: This study is a review article and is based on more than 30 articles about prophylaxis of leishmaniasis during recent five years

Results: In 2002 year several studies in different countries about leishmania major suggesting as a whole use of LACK antigen with IL-1 2 adjuvant mix antigens lack and MIDGE* Mix antigens lack+Lmsti 1 +TSA *Mix surface antigens Imstil+TSA+Leif=Leish 111f. *Mix leish 111f + IL-12 or Leish 111f + MPA+SLA have high efficient protective immune response but the result of study in Brazil at that time about meta 1 gene is not effective. In 2003 year several studies in different country shows the use of ODN, CPG, ALM and BOG as a adjuvant and the role of dendritic cells with IL-12 in generation of protective is very important meanwhile increase of GM-CSF * antigen recombinant Histone synthesized * Role of CD4* with CD8* the effective of NF Kappabeta cells in induction of Th1 * The use of two different adjuvant ODN, GPO with alive parasite and Man 5-DPPE coated liposomes to induce cellular immunity against parasite is important also. In 2003 studies about Leishmania infantum shows that use of IL-18 with lL-12 * Lack + DNA P36 antigens* P80 antigen * Mix antigens GP63 + CP+LPG induced Type 1 response against parasite

[Efficacy of different immunization methods against leishmania parasite in order to prophylaxis of leishmaniasis]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a disease with different clinical manifestation produced by the genus leishmania. Eradication of the disease has proven to be difficult. Chemotherapy has only a modest effect and there is no effective and safe vaccine against any from of clinical leishmaniasis. How ever, individuals who recovered naturally from infection develop strong immunity against reinfection suggesting that vaccination against leishmaniasis is feasible

Materials and Methods: This study is a review article and is based on more than 30 articles about prophylaxis of leishmaniasis during recent five years

Results: In 2002 year several studies in different countries about leishmania major suggesting as a whole use of LACK antigen with IL-12 adjuvant mix antigens lack and MIDGE* Mix antigens lack+Lmsti 1+TSA *Mix surface antigens lmstil+TSA+Leif=Leish 111f. *Mix leish 111f + IL-12 or Leish 111f + MPA+SLA have high efficient protective immune response but the result of study in Brazil at that time about meta 1 gene is not effective. In 2003 year several studies in different country shows the use of ODN, CPG, ALM and BCG as a adjuvant and the role of dendritic cells with IL-12 in generation of protective is very important meanwhile increase of GM-CSF * antigen recombinant Histone synthesized * Role of C04* with C08* the effective of NF Kappabeta cells in induction of Th1* The use of two different adjuvant ODN, GPC with alive parasite and Man 5-DPPE coated liposomes to induce cellular immunity against parasite is important also. In 2003 studies about Leishmania infantum shows that use of IL-18 with IL-12 * Lack + DNA P36 antigens* P80 antigen * Mix antigens GP63 + CP+LPG induced Type 1 response against parasite