ABSTRACT
Cryptosporidiosis is one of the major causes of diarrhea in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. It is self-limited in immunocompetent individuals. However, in the immunocompromised it can cause life-threatening diarrhea and results in chronic malabsorption of fluids, vitamins and electrolytes resulting in wasting. Our study is concerned with assessing and comparing the efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) alone and NTZ loaded chitosan nanoparticles (NTZ loaded CS NPs) in the treatment of experimental cryptosporidiosis using parasitological and histopathological parameters. One hundred mice were divided into 5 groups (20 mice each). Each group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the immune status [a-immunocompetent, b-immunosuppressed]. group 1: control (healthy), group 2: control infected by Cryptosporidium oocysts, group 3: infected treated by NTZ, group 4: infected then treated by NTZ loaded CS NPs and group 5: infected then treated by chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) alone. Treatment of Cryptosporidium infected mice with NTZ loaded on CS NPs resulted in the highest significant reduction in oocysts shedding in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed groups followed by treatment with NTZ form then by treatment with CS NPs alone. The treatment with NTZ loaded CS NPs displayed a remarkable improvement of the histopathological changes of the intestine, liver and lung while NTZ treated group showed some improvement. Treatment with NTZ loaded CS NPs in murine cryptosporidiosis gave the best results as it caused marked reduction in fecal oocysts counts and improvement of histopathological changes in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed groups.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of chitosan nanoparticles and metronidazole against Giardia lamblia as well as evaluate the efficacy of loading metronidazole on chitosan nanoparticles. METHODS: This study was carried out at medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University and Theodor Bilharz Research institute (TBRI) from February 2019 to February 2020 on 45 hamsters. They were divided into 5 groups 9 hamsters each: Group A non-infected hamsters, Group B infected control group, Group C, D and E infected with G. lamblia and treated with Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs), metronidazole (MTZ) and metronidazole-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (MTZ-CsNPs) respectively. RESULTS: The highest percentage of reduction in the Giardia cyst and trophozoite counts were in group that received MTZ-CsNPs (94.69%, 94.29%). Lower percentages of reduction were recorded for MTZ treated group (90.15%, 89.52%) and CsNPs treated group (63.64%, 75.24%). Histopathological examination showed marked healing of intestinal mucosa after treatment with MTZ-CsNPs. CONCLUSION: CsNPs showed a therapeutic effect against Giardia infection in hamsters. Loading of metronidazole on chitosan nanoparticles enhanced therapeutic effect of both CsNPs as well as metronidazole.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the global efforts to control schistosomiasis, still prevalence in endemic regions unchanged. The present study was conducted to investigate the possible role of artesunate (AS) and praziquantel (PZQ) combination in enhancing cure in pre-patent and patent Schistosoma mansoni infection, and study the role of apoptosis in evaluation of the drugs efficacy. METHODS: Eighty laboratory-bred Swiss albino male mice were classified into four groups (20 mice each); control, PZQ treated (500 mg/kg), AS treated (400 mg/kg) and combined AS (400 mg/kg) + PZQ (500 mg/g) groups. Efficacy of the drugs was assessed by parasitological (egg count/gram stool, worm burden, tissue egg load, oogram pattern), histopathological (haematoxylin and eosin -for detection of type of hepatic granulomas, number & diameter) and immunohistochemical studies (P53 and Bcl-2 markers for determination of inflammatory cells and the degree of apoptosis). RESULTS: Significant reduction was recorded in stool egg count, tissue egg count (liver and intestine), worm burden, granuloma number and size and changed oogram patterns in artesunate -praziquantel combined group followed by artesunate monotherapy group. There was a significant increase in the apoptotic proteins P53 and slight increase in anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 in the infected group compared to the control healthy group. A significant decrease and increase in P53 & Bcl-2 expressions respectively were observed in artesunate - praziquantel combined group compared to control infected group. CONCLUSION: artesunate-praziquantel combination is a potential upcoming chemotherapy for schistosomiasis mansoni. Both Bcl-2 and P53 are good markers assessing S. mansoni apoptosis, morbidity and chemotherapy efficacy.
