Occurrence and assemblage distribution of Giardia Duodenalis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in southeastern Iran (2019-2022).

Background: The ubiquitous protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis is a major contributor to the global burden of diarrhoea, particularly in young children living in poor-resource regions. Although rarely mortal, giardiasis is associated with growth retardation and cognitive impairment in early childhood. Here we investigate the epidemiology of human giardiasis in Iranshahr (south-eastern Iran), a region where this information was previously lacking.

Evaluation of anti-Toxoplasma effects of solid lipid nanoparticles carrying Cinnamon zeylanicum and Moringa oleifera oil extracts.

Background: The fabrication of anti-Toxoplasma drugs with less side effects and desirable efficacy is one of the important research goals facing with toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to determine the anti-Toxoplasma effects of Cinnamon zeylanicum (CZ), Moringa oleifera (MO) oil encapsulated into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs).

Methods: Vero cells were cultured with serial concentrations (1 mg/mL to 100 µg/mL) of CZ-SLNs and MO-SLNs in DMEM culture medium.

The presence of yeasts and bacteria in free-living amoebae isolated from COVID-19 patients: concern for secondary infections.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2, yeasts, and bacteria in isolated free-living amoeba (FLA) from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs ( = 60) were obtained from COVID-19 patients. After cultivation, morphological characterization, and RNA/DNA extraction, the presence of selected microorganisms was investigated.

Anti- activity of rose hip oil-solid lipid nanoparticles.

is a highly prevalent pathogen, reported from almost all geographical regions of the world. Current anti- drugs are not effective enough in immunocompromised patients, encephalitis, chorioretinitis, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the prescription of these drugs has been limited.

Identification of and non-MRSA in free-living amoebae isolated from the hospital wards; an alarm for distribution of nosocomial infections via FLA.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are isolated from the hospital environments and known as Trojan horses for medical essential microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the presence of FLA and two critical agents of nosocomial infections, in the hospital wards. Sixty samples were collected from four communities and cultured onto non-nutrient agar (NNA).

Assemblage characterization of Giardia duodenalis in South Khorasan province, eastern Iran, using HRM real-time PCR method.

Background: Giardia duodenalis is a common parasitic protozoan causing gastrointestinal illness in humans worldwide. The genetic diversity of G. duodenalis is reflected through the identification of different assemblages.

The effects of Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) on the virulence factors of L. major and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: an in vitro study on human monocyte cell line (THP-1).

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with diverse outcomes. Clinical diversity is influenced by various factors such as Leishmania species and host genetic background. The role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV), as an endosymbiont, is suggested to not only affect the pathogenesis of Leishmania, but also impact host immune responses.

Gastrointestinal Parasites of Domestic Mammalian Hosts in Southeastern Iran.

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are a major cause of disease and production loss in livestock. Some have zoonotic potential, so production animals can be a source of human infections. We describe the prevalence of GIP in domestic mammals in Southeastern Iran.

Molecular epidemiology and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes in celiac patients; a case control study.

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist, reported from symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Blastocystis sp.

Evaluation of the mTORC activity in the presence of Toxoplasma gondii and azathioprine in human monocyte cell line.

Background: Autophagy is an important part of pathogenesis of IBD. Thiopurines such as azathioprine (AZA) are approved drugs for clinical practices in IBD patients. Besides, as an escape strategy, Toxoplasma gondii can use the mTORC1 complex to inactivate autophagy.

Molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 of Dicrocoelium dendriticum isolated from cattle, sheep, and goat in Iran.

Background: Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a broadly distributed zoonotic helminth, which is mainly reported from domesticated and wild ruminants. There is little data covering the molecular features of this trematode; therefore, current study aimed to molecularly analyze D. dendriticum in livestock.

Free-living amoebae in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility.

Free Living Amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous microorganisms reported from harsh environmental conditions. Oil refinery facilities consume vast volumes of water during their processes, generating a large amount of wastewater. The present study aimed to evaluate the wastewater treatment process in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility (ORWWTF) for the presence of FLA.

Formulation of Neem oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and evaluation of its anti-Toxoplasma activity.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular zoonotic protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, which could be lethal in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to synthesize Neem oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (NeO-SLNs) and to evaluate the anti-Toxoplasma activity of this component.

Methods: The NeO-SLNs were constructed using double emulsification method, and their shape and size distribution were evaluated using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively.

Modulation of microRNAs and claudin-7 in Caco-2 cell line treated with Blastocystis sp., subtype 3 soluble total antigen.

Background: Blastocystis sp., is a eukaryote of the large intestine, which is reported from almost all countries. The pathogenesis of this protist is not clear.

Soluble total antigen derived from Toxoplasma gondii RH strain prevents apoptosis, but induces anti-apoptosis in human monocyte cell line.

Apoptosis plays crucial role in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, as it limits further development of the disease. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of soluble total antigen (STAg) of Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) on the apoptotic and anti-apoptotic pathways. PMA-activated THP-1 cell line was sensed by T.

Evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses of the barcoding region suggest geographical relationships among Blastocystis sp., ST3 in humans.

Blastocystis sp., has 21 distinct subtypes of which ST3 thought to be the most prevalent subtype. This study aims to analyze the global variations of ST3.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium skunk genotype in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Iran: concern for zoonotic transmission.

Cryptosporidium spp. are significant zoonotic parasites in humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran.

Molecular epidemiology and genotype/subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Encephalitozoon spp. in livestock: concern for emerging zoonotic infections.

Intestinal parasitic infections have high prevalence rate in many regions especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and genotype/subtype of some intestinal protozoa in livestock in Iran. Stool samples were collected from cattle, sheep, chickens, and horses.

Toxoplasma gondii profilin and tachyzoites RH strain may manipulate autophagy via downregulating Atg5 and Atg12 and upregulating Atg7.

Background: Autophagy process is an important defense mechanism against intracellular infection. This process plays a critical role in limiting the development of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aimed to investigate the effects of T.

Soluble total antigen derived from Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites increased the expression levels of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and the release of mature form of IL1β, but downregulated the expression of IL1β and IL18 genes in THP-1cell line.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular parasitic protozoan infecting homoeothermic animals and about a third of the world's population. Inflammasomes are intracellular multi-protein complex, which are activated by many factors.

Unravelling Toxoplasma treatment: conventional drugs toward nanomedicine.

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals. Although human toxoplasmosis is mostly latent, pregnant women and immunocompromised patients need effective treatment. There are drugs of choice for treatment of toxoplasmosis; however, due to their side effects and/or their disease stage-specificity, prescription of them is limited.