Immunoinformatic Analysis of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 7 (CDPK7) Showed Potential Targets for Toxoplasma gondii Vaccine.

Apicomplexan parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), express different types of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), which perform a variety of functions, including attacking and exiting the host cells. In the current bioinformatics study, we have used several web servers to predict the basic features and specifications of the CDPK7 protein. The findings showed that CDPK7 protein has 2133 amino acid residues with an average molecular weight (MW) of 219085.79 D. The aliphatic index with 68.78 and grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) with -0.331 score were estimated. The outcomes of current research showed that the CDPK7 protein included 502 alpha-helix, 1311 random coils, and 320 extended strands with GOR4 method. Considering the Ramachandran plot, the favored region contains more than 92% of the amino acid residues. In addition, evaluation of antigenicity and allergenicity showed that CDPK7 protein has immunogenic and nonallergenic nature. The present research provides key data for more animal-model study on the CDPK7 protein to design an efficient vaccine against toxoplasmosis in the future.

Low Serum Levels of Selenium, Zinc, Iron, and Zinc/Copper Ratio in an Endemic Region of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southwest Iran.

Leishmaniasis is a widespread tropical infection; cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form of this disease known to cause significant morbidity. Trace metals, including selenium, zinc, iron, and copper, are required for the activity of several enzymes involved in immune system responses. The aim of this research was to measure the serum levels of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and Zn/Cu ratio in patients with CL. In this case-control study, 80 patients with CL and 80 healthy volunteers (not exposed to CL) from a CL endemic region in southwest Iran agreed to participate. Both clinical and parasitological verifications were made to include each subject as a CL-positive case. A questionnaire was completed for each participant which included the following criteria: age (year), height (cm), weight (kg), body mass index (kg/m2), and duration of disease (day). The biochemical assays were performed according to the standard protocols, and the values of Zn, Cu, Se, and Fe were expressed in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl). All results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and the statistical significance level was defined to be less than 0.05 (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of mean values of age, body weight, height, and body mass index between CL patients and the control group (P > 0.05). The mean ± SD concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Se in the control group were found to be 118.87 ± 6.35 µg/dl, 123.00 ± 8.40 µg/dl, and 11.26 ± 1.88 µg/dl, respectively. These trace elements (TEs) were statistically lower (P < 0.001) in patients with CL (case group) with values of 83.05 ± 7.32 µg/dl for Zn, 86.51 ± 10.09 µg/dl for Fe, and 3.83 ± 1.20 µg/dl for Se. We have also observed that serum levels of Cu in CL-positive group were significantly higher than in the controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, CL patients had significantly lower Zn/Cu ratio than controls (0.63 ± 0.05 µg/dl vs. 1.11 ± 0.10; P < 0.001). The alternation in serum levels of TEs may be a part of the defense strategy of the organism. Based on these results, it can be suggested that serum levels of these TEs can be a useful marker to estimate the prognosis of CL infection.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis and healthy group.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) specific antibodies in patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to the control group were evaluated. In this case-control study, 200 hemodialysis patients (HDP) and 100 healthy controls were participated. The specific antibodies (IgG/IgM) in both groups were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. A structured questionnaire containing some demographic information was completed for each person in case and control groups. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 49.5% (99/200) and 23.0% (23/100) in the case and control groups, respectively. There was a significant association between seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and contact with cats (P < 0.001), consumption of raw/undercooked meat (P = 0.01), and source of drinking water (P = 0.001) in the hemodialysis patients. Also, in the control subjects, there were a significant association between consumption of raw/undercooked meat (P = 0.04) and source of drinking water (P = 0.001) with T. gondii infection. The findings showed a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in HDP compared with healthy controls; thus, we recommend the regular screening programs for T. gondii infection in this susceptible group.

Evaluation of Antileishmanial Activity Employing Conventional and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Amphotericin B on Leishmania major In Vitro and In Vivo.

BACKGROUND: Obligate intracellular parasites of Leishmania genus belong to the family Trypanosomatidae and more than twenty species cause this neglected vector-borne infection throughout the globe. OBJECTIVE: The current study was aimed to assess the antileishmanial activity of Amphotericin B (AmB) and AmB formulated into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present research, microemulsification and high shear homogenization methods were used to prepare SLNs. Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes were cultured in RPMI 1640 and incubated for three time points of 24, 48 and 72 h at 25±1°C. Then, the MTT colorimetric assay was employed for obtaining 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Finally, the efficacy of AmB and AmB-SLN was evaluated for the treatment of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in BALB/c mice. RESULTS: The average diameter sizes of prepared AmB-SLN were <180 nm and monodisperse preparations with polydispersity index 0.21±0.29. The antileishmanial activity of AmB and AmBSLN revealed a dose and time-dependent manner in vitro. The IC50 values of AmB (38.18±1.33, 25.06±2.00, and 13.87±0.61 µg/ml) and AmB-SLN (0.40±0.02, 0.26±0.02, and 0.14±0.01 µg/ml) were estimated after 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. In all BALB/c treatment groups, the diameter of lesions was significantly smaller than the control group. CONCLUSION: AmB-SLN was significantly more potent than AmB in vitro and in vivo. The discovery of new effective drugs based on nanocarriers, such as SLN, is practical and opens a new window for the treatment of CL.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in the Southwest of Iran: A Four-year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The current study was aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in persons who were referred to selected hospitals of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, in the southwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 43200 and 28821 stool specimens were gathered from Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively, during four consecutive years (2014-2017). RESULTS: A decreasing trend was seen in the prevalence rate of IPIs in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities. The overall prevalence of IPIs was estimated to be 5.82% and 6.11% in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively. In Abadan city, the proportion of IPIs in male persons with 56% was higher than females 44%, while in Khorramshahr city, more prevalence was observed in females (54% vs. 46%). Moreover, according to the season, the highest prevalence was recorded in Spring (30.4%) and Summer (31.1%) in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively. We found Giardia lamblia, as the most frequent parasite in studied individuals of both cities (Abadan: 2.92%; 1261/43200 and Khorramshahr: 3.15%; 908/28821). Other parasites were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, E. coli, E. hartmanni, Blastocystis hominis, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Taenia spp. CONCLUSION: This was the first study on the prevalence of IPIs in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, southwest of Iran. Intestinal parasites are still the main public health concern in these regions. Health education, improving sanitary conditions, screening and treatment of infected people, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas can be helpful.