An update on lipid-based nanodrug delivery systems for leishmaniasis treatment.

Lipid-based nanodrug delivery systems hold considerable promise in therapeutic intervention for leishmaniasis by enhancing drug solubility and targeted delivery.

New detection of the occurrence of trypanosomiasis in a bovine herd in a rural property in the state of Bahia/BA ­ case report / Nova detecção da ocorrência de tripanossomíase em rebanho bovino em propriedade rural no estado da Bahia/BA ­ relato de caso

This report aims to discuss the occurrence of protozoan infestation in a Girolanda cattle herd in the state of Bahia / BA. Bovine trypanosomiasis is a severe disease that is harmful to cattle, inducing large productive and economic losses. The animals are affected by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma spp., giving rise to infestations in the vast majority of them in a silent and lasting way. In the Bahian rural property described, 10% of adult cows died and the rest of the animals showed clinical signs of anemia, drop in milk production, low body score, apathy, among others. Among the information obtained through the farm manager, who helped in the diagnosis and in ordering tests for the respective disease were: purchase of cattle from the region of the state of Minas Gerais and dubious management of oxytocin for improvements in milk production (suspected shared needles). Faced with the suspicion and in conjunction with the information obtained, laboratory tests and molecular tests were carried out to confirm the suspicion. After the examinations, it was found that the animals were affected by protozoa of the genus Trypanossoma vivax. The animals were treated with volume replenishers and drugs such as isometamidium chloride in a single dose calculated according to the body weight.

O presente relato tem por objetivo discorrer sobre a ocorrência da infestação protozoária em um rebanho bovino da raça Girolanda no estado da Bahia/BA. A tripanossomíase bovina é uma doença severa e prejudicial aos bovinos, induzindo-os a grandes perdas produtivas e econômicas. Os animais são afetados por protozoários do gênero Trypanosoma spp., dandoorigem a infestações em sua grande maioria de forma silenciosa e duradoura. Na propriedade rural baiana descrita, 10% das vacas adultas morreram e o restante dos animais apresentava sinais clínicos de anemia, queda da produção leiteira, baixo escore corpóreo, apatia, prostração, entre outros. Dentre as informações obtidas através do gerente da fazenda, que auxiliaram no diagnóstico e na requisição de exames para a respectiva doença estavam: compra de bovinos da região do estado de Minas Gerais e manejo duvidoso de ocitocina para melhorias na produção leiteira (suspeita de agulhas compartilhadas). Diante da suspeita e em conjunto com informações obtidas, foram realizados exames laboratoriais e testes moleculares para confirmar a suspeita. Após a realização dos exames, constatou-se que os animais estavam acometidos por protozoários do gênero Trypanossoma vivax. Os animais foram tratados com repositores de volume e fármacos como o cloreto de isometamidium em uma única dose calculada de acordo com o peso corpóreo.

Toxoplasmosis and knowledge: what do the Italian women know about?

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This infection is estimated to affect about a third of the world's population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Italian women about toxoplasmosis and its forms of transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and prevention through two different modalities (e-research and traditional research). In a cross-sectional study, 808 Italian women were interviewed, using a self-administered questionnaire, through two different modalities: an e-research or web survey and a traditional paper research and 84% reported to have heard about toxoplasmosis, but from most of the sample, it resulted that the knowledge of the protozoan disease was superficial and incomplete.The assessment of the dimensionality related to the toxoplasmosis knowledge's instrument showed that the scale is composed by two stable and reliable factors which explain 58.6% of the variance: (a) the basic knowledge (α = 0.83), which explains the 45.2% of the variance and (b) the specialist knowledge (α = 0.71), which explains the 13.4% of the variance. The variance and the multiple linear regression data analysis showed significant predictors of correct basic knowledge of toxoplasmosis: the highest age, the highest degree of study, to have previously contracted illness or to know someone who had contracted it, to be working or to be housewives. In conclusion, this study showed limited awareness of toxoplasmosis and suggested the implementation of effective education and learning programs. The results also showed that online data collection, in academic research, might be a valid alternative to more traditional (paper-and-pencil) surveys.

A Rare Presentation of Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis or kala-azar is a protozoan disease that can present as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, visceral, and disseminated disease. In India, it is usually localized in distinct areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) involves the visceral organs, mainly the liver, the spleen and bone marrow. VL is characterized by prolonged fever, massive splenomegaly, weight loss, progressive anemia, pancytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia, and can be complicated by serious infections. In most of the patient the diagnosis is made on bone marrow biopsy or splenic aspirate. We hereby present an unusual case of kala-azar in a 52-year-old patient non-resident of endemic area presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin, in whom bone marrow biopsy was negative for Leishmanin Donovan (LD) bodies, and diagnosis was made by liver biopsy in which LD bodies were seen.

Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient with Complicated Falciparum Malaria.

Malaria is one of the most common protozoan diseases, especially in tropical countries. The clinical manifestation of malaria, especially falciparum malaria varies from mild acute febrile illness to life threatening severe systemic complications involving one or more organ systems. We would like to report a case of complicated falciparum malaria involving cerebral, renal, hepatic system along with acute pancreatitis. The patient was successfully treated with anti malarial and other supportive treatment. To the best of our knowledge there are very few reports of acute pancreatitis due to malaria. Falciparum malaria therefore should be added to the list of infectious agents causing acute pancreatitis especially in areas where malaria is endemic.