Association between latent toxoplasmosis and bipolar disorder: a case-control seroprevalence study.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the most successful obligate protozoan that can infect warm-blooded vertebrate hosts. Some researchers suggest that the presence of Toxoplasma cysts in the brain can lead to mental disorders.

Exploring oral candidiasis among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in eastern Iran.

Background And Objectives: Understanding the epidemiology of species among cancer patients is crucial for preventing invasive infections. This study aimed to identify species and assess risk factors among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Birjand, eastern Iran.

Materials And Methods: The samples were obtained from the oral cavity of 140 patients and the initial identification of species was carried out through fungal cultures.

The effects of opium consumption on severity of disease on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in East of Iran, a prospective cohort study.

There are few theories and little empirical evidence about the bilateral impact of substance use and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), so a logical and accurate picture of this area is required. We investigated the effects of opium use on severity of disease on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in east of Iran. Demographic and clinical characteristics, vital signs, laboratory tests, mortality rate, type and duration of opium consumption in hospitalized patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the follow-up after 3 months were evaluated.

The Impact of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst Rupture on COVID-19 Symptom Severity.

Background: Co-infection with other microorganisms such as parasites in patients with COVID-19 can affect the clinical outcome and require prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Case Presentation: We present a case of an adult male with chest pain, dyspnea, cough, diplopia, and anorexia who was confirmed to have acute COVID-19 pneumonia. 2 weeks prior to admission, a hydatid lung cyst was identified on examination, but the patient refused surgery.

Modulatory Effects of Hydatid Cyst Fluid on a Mouse Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

The reduced burden of helminth parasites in industrialized countries is probably one of the reasons for the increased prevalence of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The current study aimed to evaluate the potential preventive effects of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) on the disease severity in an EAE mouse model of MS. EAE-induced mice were treated with HCF before and after EAE induction.

Comparison of neutralization potency across passive immunotherapy approaches as potential treatments for emerging infectious diseases.

The use of passive immunotherapy, either as plasma or purified antibodies, has been recommended to treat the emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in the absence of alternative therapeutic options. Here, we compare the neutralization potency of various passive immunotherapy approaches designed to provide the immediate neutralizing antibodies as potential EID treatments. To prepare human plasma and purified IgG, we screened and classified individuals into healthy, convalescent, and vaccinated groups against SARS-CoV-2 using qRT-PCR, anti-nucleocapsid, and anti-spike tests.

Enhancement of targeted therapy in combination with metformin on human breast cancer cell lines.

Background: Breast cancer remains a primary global health concern due to its limited treatment options, frequent disease recurrence, and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Thereby, there is a need for more effective treatment approaches. The proposal suggests that the combination of targeted therapy with other antitumoral agents could potentially address drug resistance.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in people living with HIV and associated risk factors.

People living with HIV (PLWH) constitute a vulnerable population for acquiring additional sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study was conducted to provide a summary of the evidence on the global prevalence of STIs in PLWH with an emphasis on infectious agents, diagnostic methods, and related risk factors. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched to include records published from January 01, 1990, to January 31, 2022, and the Google Scholar search engine was used to check the search strategy.

Serosal membrane tuberculosis in Iran: A comprehensive review of evidences.

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the most common cause of serositis. There are many uncertainties in diagnostic and therapeutic approach to serous membranes tuberculosis. Our aim in the present review is to discuss the regional facilities for timely diagnosis, rapid decision-making and appropriate treatment regarding to serous membranes tuberculosis; with emphasis on situation in Iran.

Prevalence of Ecto and Gastrointestinal Parasites of in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran.

Objective: Rodents act as reservoir hosts and are an important potential source for many zoonotic pathogens such as parasites, which pose a public health risk to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the prevalence of parasites among rodents.

Methods: A total of 118 were captured in Mazandaran province, north of Iran, using snap live traps.

Enhancement of immunogenicity and neutralizing responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using the Fc fusion fragment.

Aims: Vaccination has played an important role in protecting against death and the severity of COVID-19. The recombinant protein vaccine platform has a long track record of safety and efficacy. Here, we fused the SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 subunit to the Fc region of IgG and investigated immunogenicity, reactivity to human vaccinated sera, and neutralizing activity as a candidate protein vaccine.

Overview of Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Inflammatory Processes in Infected Cells.

() is an obligate intracellular parasite. During the parasitic invasion, creates a parasitophorous vacuole, which enables the modulation of cell functions, allowing its replication and host infection. It has effective strategies to escape the immune response and reach privileged immune sites and remain inactive in a controlled environment in tissue cysts.

SARS-COV-2 IgG specific antibodies persistence in recovered COVID-19 individuals and its association with severity and time of illness.

In order to accurately interpret the immune response to COVID-19, it is critical to know how long serum antibodies to COVID-2 persist. This study aimed to describe the serum IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 infection in Birjand, South Khorasan province, Iran. The study was performed on individuals whose COVID-19 disease was confirmed by RT-PCR and recovered from the disease.

Malaria prevalence in HIV-positive children, pregnant women, and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Malaria in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is an ever-increasing global burden for human health. The present meta-analysis summarizes published literature on the prevalence of malaria infection in HIV-positive children, pregnant women and adults.

Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guideline.

More Than Seventy Years of Research (1948-November 2021) on in Iran: A Narrative Review.

In this review, we intend to provide a summary of the activities of researchers in the field of in Iran, during the past 70 years. Most studies have been limited to epidemiological studies (mostly using ELISA and IFA methods). Designing a standard and reliable method using the specific antigens of this parasite is essential.

Global Burden of Infection and Associated Risk Factors in People Living with HIV and/or AIDS.

infections remain one of the most common protozoan opportunistic causes of gastrointestinal diseases and diarrhea among people living with HIV and/or AIDS (PLWHA). This study was conducted to provide a summary of the evidence on the global burden of infection and associated risk factors among PLWHA. , and were searched up to February 2022.

Exploring the Association Between Latent Toxoplasma gondii Infection and COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: First Registry-Based Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the possible association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and COVID-19 outcomes among 133 patients with an RT-PCR-positive test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hospitalized at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, during August to November 2020.

Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect baseline data from the patients who were registered to the Iranian National Registry Center for Toxoplasmosis (INRCT). Also, blood samples were taken from each patient for detecting anti-T.

The compliance of surgical prophylactic antibiotics with standard protocols in Imam Reza teaching hospital of Birjand, Iran.

Background And Objectives: Taking unnecessary or inappropriate prophylactic antibiotics can cause infections with resistant organisms. The present study aimed to investigate administration prophylactic antibiotics in surgery ward and its compliance with standard protocol in Imam Reza teaching hospital of Birjand, Iran.

Materials And Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed to evaluate the pattern of prophylactic antibiotics on patients who underwent surgical operations from October to December 2019.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Marine Animal Species, as a Potential Source of Food Contamination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Many marine animals are infected and susceptible to toxoplasmosis, which is considered as a potential transmission source of Toxoplasma gondii to other hosts, especially humans. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection among sea animal species worldwide and highlight the existing gaps.

Evaluation of Th17 immune responses of recombinant DNA vaccine encoding GRA14 and ROP13 genes against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice.

Toxoplasma gondii, a worldwide opportunistic parasite, causes serious diseases in both humans and fetuses with defective immune systems. The development of an effective vaccine is urgently required to prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii which is one of the most damaging zoonotic diseases of global importance. Plasmid DNA vaccination is a promising procedure for vaccine development and following the previous studies, pcROP13 + pcGRA14 cocktail DNA vaccine was evaluated for Th17 immune responses.

Identification of Genotypes Using by Actin Gene and Molecular Based Methods in Southwest of Iran.

Background: is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis. The genetic characterization of isolates shows notable genetic variation in this parasite. In the present study, we aimed to identify the genotypes based on analyzing of actin gene in women specimens referred to health centers of Ilam city, southwest Iran.

Scolicidal and Apoptotic Activities of 5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone as a Potent Agent against Protoscoleces.

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is a zoonotic disease with different clinical stages caused by the larval stage of the cestode . It is important to highlight as a public health problem in various regions of the world. In the current study, the efficacy and apoptotic activity of the liposomal system containing juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) were assessed against protoscoleces (PSCs) in vitro.

The global seroprevalence of infection in bovines: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bovines, especially cattle, are considered as one of the main sources of Toxoplasma gondii infection for humans. A more comprehensive understanding of the occurrence of T. gondii is needed to provide a global perspective on the prevalence of T.