Immunogenicity of in-silico designed multi-epitope DNA vaccine encoding SAG1, SAG3 and SAG5 of Toxoplasma gondii adjuvanted with CpG-ODN against acute toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice.

The causative agent of toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is able to influence the health of humans and other vertebrates. Toxoplasma may cause severe illness in the fetus and immunocompromised individuals.

Vaccination with a novel multi-epitope ROP8 DNA vaccine against acute Toxoplasma gondii infection induces strong B and T cell responses in mice.

Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) are involved in the cell invasion and parasitophorous vacuole (PV) formation and also vital for survival of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) within host cells. ROP8 have a main role during the early phase of infection and can express in tachyzoite and bradyzoite forms.

Evaluation of Morphine with Imiquimod as Opioid Growth Factor Receptor or Nalmefene as Opioid Blocking Drug on Leishmaniasis Caused by in Vitro.

Background: In this research, the effect of morphine on promastigotes and amastigotes of has been investigated in the presence of nalmefene as a blocking opioid drug and imiquimod as an opioid growth factor receptor.

Methods: This study was conducted at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran in 2015-2018. Morphine with different concentration (0.

Enhancement Effect of Shark Cartilage Extract on Treatment of with Artemisinin and Glucantime and Evaluation of killing Factors and Apoptosis Condition.

In this study we examined enhancement effects of Artemisinin plus Glucantime and shark cartilage extract on promastigotes and amastigotes of in condition.The toxicity of artemisinin, glucantime, and shark cartilage extract on the promastigotes and amastigote-infected macrophages was evaluated using MTT assay. The role of these drugs inducing apoptosis in promastigotes, un- infected, and parasite- infected macrophages was also studied.

New prevalence surveillance of among rodents and stray cats by ELISA avidity and nested PCR methods, Northeast of Iran.

Rodents and stray cats are the sources of many parasitic infections including for other animals and human. Toxoplasmosis has a wide range of laboratory factors in its intermediate and definite hosts. Regarding the importance of rodents and stray cats as the hosts that spread the , it is necessary to obtain comprehensive information about these animals in the life cycle of .

Rhoptry antigens as vaccine target.

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, caused by a unicellular protozoan parasite known as that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is estimated that over one-third of the world's population has been exposed and are latently infected with the parasite. In humans, toxoplasmosis is predominantly asymptomatic in immunocompetent persons, while among immunocompromised individuals may be cause severe and progressive complications with poor prognosis.

Isolation of from crows living in urban parks of Tehran, Iran: an investigation with zoonotic aspect.

Microsporidia are eukaryotic, intracellular obligate parasites that widely involve many organisms including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. One of the genera of Microsporidia is , which contains several opportunistic pathogens. Since spp.

Apoptotic Effect of Morphine, Imiquimod and Nalmefene on Promastigote, Infected and Uninfected Macrophages with Amastigote of by Flow Cytometry.

The parasites of genus Leishmania are the causative agents of one of the most widespread and devastating diseases According to follow-up data, these medications may provoke adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, relapse, as well as financial burden The mechanism of action of opioid drugs is primarily exerted via transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors. One of the potent synthetic immunomodulator agents is imiquimod with low molecular weight and unknown mechanism of action. Monocyte and macrophage are the primary site of action for imiquimod.

Bioinformatics analysis of ROP8 protein to improve vaccine design against Toxoplasma gondii.

Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) are involved in the different stages of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) invasion and are also critical for survival within host cells. ROP8 is expressed in the early stages of infection and have a key role in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) formation.

Evaluation of Immune Responses Induced by and Genes by DNA Vaccine Cocktails Against Acute Toxoplasmosis in BALB/c Mice.

Background: The severe damages of toxoplasmosis clearly indicate the need for the development of a more effective vaccine. Immunization with plasmid DNA is a promising vaccination technique. Therefore, plasmid was prepared to be used as a vaccine.

Evaluation of Immunogenicity of Cocktail DNA Vaccine Containing Plasmids Encoding Complete GRA5, SAG1, and ROP2 Antigens of Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/C Mice.

Background: Severe and fatal complications of toxoplasmosis urge development of effective vaccines against the disease. The current study was performed to evaluate cocktail DNA vaccine containing plasmids encoding GRA5, SAG1, and ROP2 genes of Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice in Tarbiat Modares University in 2012.

Methods: The plasmids containing complete GRA5, SAG1, and ROP2 genes were mass extracted and then the recombinant plasmids were administered via intramuscular injections according to immunized mice three times with three-week intervals.

Evaluation of Apoptotic and Antileishmanial Activities of Artemisinin on Promastigotes and BALB/C Mice Infected with Leishmania major.

Background: In leishmaniasis, some drugs prescribed for treatment have toxic effects and there are reports about drug resistance in some countries. Due to this fact, using herbal drugs such as artemisinin with good efficacy and low toxic effect might be suitable.

Methods: We evaluated the apoptotic effect of artemisinin on Leishmania major in vitro and the antileishmanial activities of artemisinin on leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice and at the end INF-γ and IL-4 cytokines levels were detected by ELISA in spleen cell culture supernatants.

Interferon-gamma and interlukin-4 patterns in BALB/c mice suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with cantharidin.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a health problem in the world. Lesions should be treated on cosmetically or functionally important sites, such as the face and hands. Cantharidin is a terpenoid compound produced naturally by beetles of Meloidae and Oedemeridae families.

Comparison Between in Vitro Effects of Aqueous Extract of Artemisia seiberi and Artemisinin on Leishmania major.

Background: It is necessary to develop novel, affordable, and accessible drugs with few side effects as alternatives of the currently available chemical agents for leishmaniasis.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of these drugs on L. major under in vitro conditions.

Effect of IL-22 on DNA vaccine encoding LACK gene of Leishmania major in BALB/c mice.

In the present study, the effect of IL-22 together with the plasmid encoding LACK (Leishmania homolog of receptors for activated C-kinase) gene of Leishmania major on the trend of leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice was evaluated. Evaluation of the cellular and humoral immunity was performed by measurement of IL-4 and IFN-γ, culture of splenocytes and MTT assay, and measurement of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in the control and immunized groups. Clinical evaluations were also carried out by measurement of the lesion size, survival rate, and body weight of mice.

Comparing the effect of IL-12 genetic adjuvant and alum non-genetic adjuvant on the efficiency of the cocktail DNA vaccine containing plasmids encoding SAG-1 and ROP-2 of Toxoplasma gondii.

Various methods are available for enhancing the potency of DNA vaccines, including employment of different forms of adjuvant. The current study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effects of genetic and non-genetic adjuvants on the immune response stimulated by DNA vaccine. Thus, two adjuvants, IL-12 (genetic adjuvant) and aluminum hydroxide (alum, non-genetic adjuvant), were used with cocktail DNA vaccine containing plasmids encoding complete rhoptry antigen 2 (ROP-2) and surface major antigen 1 (SAG-1) of Toxoplasma gondii.