Inhibition of murine systemic leishmaniasis by acetyl salicylic acid via nitric oxide immunomodulation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate antileishmanial effects of ASA via NO pathway in Leishmania major infected Balb/c mice. Moreover, toxicity and pathological consequences of ASA administration were investigated. Balb/c mice were infected with L. major and ASA was inoculated orally after lesion appearance for its ability to modulate NO and to modify Leishmania infection in host, in order to evaluate the effects of NO production on size and lesion macroscopy, delay of lesion formation and proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages. Liver, spleen, and lymph nodes were also studied as target organs to detect amastigotes. In addition, plasma was investigated for NO induction using Griess microassay. ASA increased NO production in plasma of both na‹ve and Leishmania test groups at the ultimate of the experimental period. A decline was observed in proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages of test group when compared with control one. ASA reduced lesion size, inhibited Leishmania visceralisation in spleen, lymph node, and decreased hepato/splenomegaly in ASA treated animals. Some antileishmanial effects of ASA by NO-modulation were indicated during systemic leishmaniasis in mice. Despite slight effects on lesion size, ASA decreased parasite visceralization in target organs and declined their proliferation inside macrophages. Therefore, ASA may be indicated to inhibit systemic leishmaniasis via NO pathway in mice model

Relationship between serum IgE and intestinal parasites

Intestinal parasitosis has been a major public health problem in Iran. It is necessary to evaluate an up-date data in this regard to be used by local authorities. Serum IgE determinations and coproparasitological analyses were conducted on 1200 individuals in city of Ghaemshahr, Mazandaran province, northern Iran. A total of 1200 subjects were taken stool samples for three days consecutively. Two hundred and ninety seven cases [24.7%0] were positive for parasitic diseases. The age group of 8-15 years old encompassed the highest rate of infection which showed a significant difference with the other groups [P< 0.01]. No significant difference was detected between males and females as to the rate of infection based on the Chi-squared test [14.2% vs. 10.6%], but a significant difference was seen between infection rate and cases education [P<0.01]. An about 5-fold elevation in serum IgE level was demonstrated. Intervention programs including health education and environmental sanitation are recommended