Immune response of newborn BALB/c mice to Cryptosporidium infection.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite which causes diarrheal in human and animals worldwide. Infection transmission has reported through oral-fecal by infectious objects through foods and drinks. In this study we explored the immune response pathway in animal model for C. parvum to develop the new treatment way. Oocysts collected from fecal positive for C. parvum and diluted about 1:5 in sucrose solution. New born BALB/c mice (3 days) divided to 2 different groups. Control group hadn't received any oocyst, the test groups received 5 × 10(5) oocysts. 5 mice selected for each control group and 11 mice chosen for each test group. Blood collected from heart bleeds in days of 6, 9, 12 and 16. Protein concentrations determined by bio-photometer. Dot blotting used to find out total antibody concentrations oocyst antigen. Among the test and the control groups, blots appeared in test group which means antibody production, but not any blot observed in the control groups. The non-characteristic proteins in serum were measured by the biophotometer. In this study, we investigated antibody serum production against C. parvum oocysts in new born BALB/c mice. The detected antibody through dot blot technique was our aims which had conjugated to our characteristic antiserum. The recorded numbers for the controls by biophotometer related to the non characteristic proteins in serum. The results of this study can used to produce polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against cryptosporidiosis.

Potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae isolated from hospital wards with immunodeficient patients in Tehran, Iran.

This study investigated the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in immunodeficiency wards of hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A total of 70 dust and biofilm samples from wards serving transplant, pediatric (malignancies), HIV, leukemia and oncology patients of five university hospitals were collected and examined for the presence of FLA using culturing and molecular approaches. Based on the morphology of the amoebae in plate cultures, primer sets were applied for molecular identification of Acanthamoeba, vahlkampfiid amoebae and Hartmannella. Out of 70 samples, 37 (52.9%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba belonged to the T4 genotype was the most prevalent isolate. Presence of the T4 genotype on medical instruments, including an oxygen mask in an isolation room of an immunodeficiency pediatric ward, should be of concern for health authorities. Acanthamoeba T5 genotypes, Hartmannella vermiformis, and Vahlkampfia avara were also present. These results highlight a clear need for greater attention to improved disinfection, especially where susceptible patients, such as those who are immune-suppressed, are served. To our knowledge, this is the first report of these FLA in immunodeficiency wards in Iran, and also the first to identify Acanthamoeba T5, Hartmannella, and Vahlkampfia in moist habitats, such as biofilms, in this country.

Evaluation of PCR assay in diagnosis and identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a comparison with the parasitological methods.

The aims of this study are to identify Leishmania species and compare and validate internal transcribed spacers (ITS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay against parasitological methods for diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). We used the ITS-PCR, parasite culture, and microscopic evaluation of stained smears on 155 specimens from suspected cases of (CL) patients who referred to Mashhad Health Centers (northeast Iran). The PCR indicated the sensitivity (98.8%), correctly diagnosing 86 of the 87 confirmed positive specimens. Microscopy and parasite culture alone showed 79.3% sensitivity (69/87 positive) and 86.2% sensitivity (75/87 positive), respectively, while microscopy and culture in combination improved sensitivity totally to 100% (87/87). The results also revealed that Leishmania tropica species is dominant (96.5%) in the studied regions. This study suggests that both the parasitological techniques reliably were used for the diagnosis of CL, and the ITS-PCR assay without using RFLP analysis is useful for identifying Leishmania species in the area.