Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine for Leishmania major based on the Leishmania-activated C kinase antigen using calcium phosphate and chitosan adjuvants.

Background: Leishmaniasis represents a significant parasitic disease with global health implications, and the development of an affordable and effective vaccine could provide a valuable solution. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine targeting Leishmania major specifically based on the Leishmania-activated C kinase (LACK) antigen, utilizing calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) and chitosan nanoparticles (ChitNs) as adjuvants.

Methods: Seventy female BALB/c mice, aged 4-6 wk and weighing 20-22 g, were selected and divided into five groups, each consisting of 14 mice.

Preparation and Characterization of A Nanoliposomal Vaccine of pcLACK Candidate Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a public health problem and endemic in countries of the tropics and subtropics. An ongoing project with naked LACK (Leishmania homolog of receptors for activated C-kinase) demonstrated that this case of the gene is entirely susceptible to immune response and it does enter the cells effectively. This study aimed at developing a procedure to prepare a type of lipid nanoparticles overloaded with plasmid LACK (pcLACK) for usage as Leishmania major (L.

Actin Gene-Based Molecular Typing of Trichomonas vaginalis Clinical Isolates from the North of Iran.

Aim: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the prevalence of trichomoniasis in men and women in the north of Iran and to find genotypes in the positive clinical specimens based on T. vaginalis actin gene.

Materials And Methods: Women's genital (n = 500) and men's urine (n = 1500) samples were collected from the participants referred to clinics in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, during 2006-2018.

Cytokine Gene Expression Alterations in Human Macrophages Infected by .

Objective: Leishmaniasis is caused by members of the species and constitute a group of infective diseases that range from cutaneous lesions to lethal visceral forms. In infected persons, macrophages recognize and eliminate the parasites via phagocytosis. In order to change a hostile environment into an environment adequate for survival and reproduction, the engulfed Leishmania species needs to modulate the function of its host macrophage.

The epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Golestan Province, Iran: A cross-sectional study of 8-years.

Background: Leishmaniasis occurs with an incidence of 0.5-1.5 million new cases annually, and is also endemic in 88 countries across the world.

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.

Gene's Immune Response Induced by Cocktail DNA Vaccine with Gene Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice.

Background: Leishmaniasis is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus which is an obligate intracellular parasite in the infected host. Individuals who have been recovered from clinical leishmaniasis develop strong immunity against reinfection. DNA vaccines are the new type of vaccines that induce expression of protein eukaryotic cells.

A nanodiagnostic colorimetric assay for 18S rRNA of Leishmania pathogens using nucleic acid sequence-based amplification and gold nanorods.

Background And Objective: We describe here a nanodiagnostic colorimetric assay for 18S rRNA of Leishmania pathogens that uses nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and gold nanorods (GNRs).

Methods: NASBA primers targeting 18S rRNA were used for amplification of RNA in an isothermal process. The electrostatic interactions between the phosphate groups of the RNA amplicons and the cetyl trimethylammonium bromide layer on the GNRs resulting in their aggregation.

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.

Enhancement of immune response induced by DNA vaccine cocktail expressing complete LACK and TSA genes against Leishmania major.

Leishmaniasis is an important disease in humans. Leishmania homologue of receptor for Activated C Kinase (LACK) and thiol specific antioxidant (TSA) as immuno-dominant antigens of Leishmania major are considered the most promising molecules for a DNA vaccine. We constructed a DNA cocktail, containing plasmids encoding LACK and TSA genes of Leishmania major and evaluated the immune response and survival rate in BALB/c mice.

Photodynamic therapy as a new treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

We assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 5 patients. Delta-aminolevulinic acid in a water-in-oil emulsion was applied to the lesions and irradiation was performed. The treatment was repeated once a week for a month.