ABSTRACT
Background: Leishmaniasis is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania which is an obligate intracellular parasite in the infected host. Individuals who have been recovered from clinical leishmaniasis develop strong immunity against reinfection. DNA vaccines are the new type of vaccines that induce expression of protein eukaryotic cells. DNA vaccines can be stimulated by the cellular and humoral immune responses using one or several genes
Methods: A DNA vaccine containing plasmids encoding the pcLACK+pcTSA genes of Leishmania major [L. major] [MHRO/IR/75/ER] in the vicinity of IL-12 gene expression was made and then its protective efficacy in comparison with single-gene of LACK was evaluated. Also, BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly three times. The humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated after immunization with pcLACK, pcLACK+pcTSA+pCAGGS-IL12, and then challenged with L. major
Results: Humoral response and IFN-Gamma values were significantly higher than control groups after immunization with pcLACK, pcLACK+pcTSA+pCAGGS-IL12 and challenge with L. major [p
Conclusion: The survival time of the immunized mice with pcLACK, pcLACK+pcTSA+ pCAGGS-IL12 groups was higher than the control groups. Then, DNA vaccine of pcLACK appeared to be likely able to induce more protection against infection with L. major in mice. Therefore, cocktail DNA is effective to enhance specific immunity
ABSTRACT
Background: ascariasis and trichuriasis are the most common intestinal geohelminthic diseases, and as such they are significant in terms of clinical and public health. This study was done to determine prevalence, status and geographic distribution patterns for Ascariasis and Trichuriasis. The study was done in the period 1991-2014 in northern Iran using Aregis 9.2 software
Methods: this was a review study, using description and analysis, of geographical distribution of Ascaris and Trichuris relating to townships in Mazandran province, northern Iran, covering a 23-year period. Data were collected from a review of the relevant literature, summarized and classified using Arc GIS, 9.2 to design maps and tables
Results: based on results presented in tables and maps, means for prevalence of Ascaris and Trichuris were divided into five groups. The maximum prevalence rate of Ascaris was 16.3% reported in rural areas of Tonkabon in 1981-1982. Prevalence means for Ascaris in the central and western areas of Mazandaran province were 2%-4% and 4%, respectively. The maximum prevalence of Trichuris in the rural area of Tonkabon was 22.5% and the lowest 0.06% was among the cattle breeder's in rural areas of the province at in 2002-2003
Conclusion: data presented in this study provides information useful to health care workers researchers and health administrators, especially for physicians, clinicians and for future research. Also, it is necessary to control and prevent geohelminthic parasitic infections, particularly in rural areas by public education for families, health authorities and health care systems
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the protective effect of IL-22 and IL-12 on cutaneous leishmaniasisin BALB/c mice.@*METHODS@#The protective effect of IL-22 and IL-12 on cutaneous leishmanias in BALB/c mice was evaluated by measurement of IL-4, INF-γ, total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a after challenge with Leishamania major. Clinical evaluations were performed by measurement of lesion diameter, and survival rate of the mice.@*RESULTS@#In week 27 post infection, the mortality rates for control groups were 100%. While the survival rates for the IL-12, IL-12 + IL-22, and IL-22(5 ng/g) groups were 100%. The size of lesions decreased in the presence IL-22 (5 ng/g) of mice weight, which was statistically significant in comparison with other groups (P<0.05). Mean of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a for IL-22 (5 ng/g) group was more than other groups. In IL-22 group (5 ng/g), INF-γ production was significantly higher than other groups and IL-4 was significantly lower than other groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of IL-22 and its effect on IL-12 in protection of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
ABSTRACT
Giardiasis is a one of the most prevalent intestinal parasitic diseases in human, treatment of this disease through medicinal plants is very important since parasite resistance to chemical drugs exists. Thus, in this study, the in vitro anti-giardial activity of chloroformic extract of Tanacetum parthenium and Artemisia annua on cyst and trophozoite of Giardia lamblia were separately investigated. In this experimental study chloroformic extracts of Artemisia annua and Tanacetum parthenium on cyst and trophozoite of G. lamblia in vitro were prepared in 1, 10, 50 and 100 mg?ml concentrations for 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 min. Purified cysts were used for encystations and culture in TYI-S-33 medium. Then, 2 ml of each solution was placed in test tubes, to which 10,000 washed cysts and trophozoites were added. The contents of the tubes were gently mixed and incubated. The percentages of dead parasites were determined by counting 500 cysts. Non treated parasites were considered a control group in each experiment and the viability of the parasites checked with Eeosin staining and statistical analysis were done. The results showed that chloroformic extracts of A. annua at 100 mg/ml concentration affected on Gardia cyst 86% and 100% trophozoite after 1 hour. T. parthenium at 50mg/ml concentration killed cysts [83%] and trophozite [100%] after 1 hour, respectively. T. parthenium chloroformic extract had a better effect on cyst and trophozoite of Giardia at 50 mg/ml after 1 hour exposure than A. annua extract. According to this study, A. annua and T. parthenium chlorofomic extracts could be considered as a more effective anti-giardial agent. Chloroformic extract of T. parthenium was also shown the anti-giardial activity compared with A. annua and control groups at all exposure times. Therefore, in the future research using these plants are recommended against Giardia in low concentration in the in vivo, also to find fractions of the pharmacological effects of these plants
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the protective effect of IL-22 and IL-12 on cutaneous leishmaniasisin BALB/c mice. Methods: The protective effect of IL-22 and IL-12 on cutaneous leishmanias in BALB/c mice was evaluated by measurement of IL-4, INF-γ, total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a after challenge with Leishamania major. Clinical evaluations were performed by measurement of lesion diameter, and survival rate of the mice. Results: In week 27 post infection, the mortality rates for control groups were 100%. While the survival rates for the IL-12, IL-12 + IL-22, and IL-22(5 ng/g) groups were 100%. The size of lesions decreased in the presence IL-22 (5 ng/g) of mice weight, which was statistically significant in comparison with other groups (. P<0.05). Mean of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a for IL-22 (5 ng/g) group was more than other groups. In IL-22 group (5 ng/g), INF-γ production was significantly higher than other groups and IL-4 was significantly lower than other groups. Conclusions: The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of IL-22 and its effect on IL-12 in protection of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all mammalian cells. Several antigens such as excreted/secreted antigens have been identified as a potential vaccine candidate. To determine how excreted/ secreted antigens from peritoneal exudates of infected mice [mESA] stimulate cell-mediated immune responses and induce protective immunity against toxoplasmosis in the murine model. The supernatants produced from the peritoneal fluids, were fractionated by precipitation in ammonium sulphate solution [30-80% saturated]. For induction of cell-mediated immune responses, delayed type hypersensitivity was measured, in injected footpad. Response to purified antigen was measured by lymphocyte proliferation assay. Nitric oxide was measured by Griess method. For immunization, Balb/c mice were immunized 2 times with mESA, mESA-40% and Toxoplasma Lysate Antigen [TLA]. The virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii was used for challenging. The pattern of lymphocyte responsiveness was dependent on the antigen employed. In sensitized mice, those received mESA-40% displayed higher lymphocyte response than mice stimulated by mESA [p<0.05]. The highest amounts of nitric oxide were observed in macrophages, which received mESA-40% and mESA [p<0.05]. Mice immunized with mESA-40% survived longer than those immunized with mESA and other antigens [p<0.05]. As fraction 40% [mESA-40%] showed a good result in induction of cellmediated responses in the murine model, the purification and isolation of the mESA 40% is highly recommended for future study