Development of membrane-based flow-through assay for detection of trypanosomosis in equines.

A rapid flow-through immunoassay using protein A labeled gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for the qualitative detection of trypanosomosis in equine serum samples was developed. The flow-through device consisted of antigen-coated nitrocellulose membrane fixed on absorbent pads. The GNPs based detection probe was used as the colored marker.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma evansi Infection in Equines of North and North Western States of India.

Trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi, commonly known as "surra," is a wasting disease affecting equids, camels, cattle, as well as several other domestic and wild animals. No systematic information is available on disease pattern in equines for development of control and treatment strategies in endemic areas in India. The present study was undertaken with a comprehensive plan to screen large population of equines using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to obtain epidemiological information on "surra" in different agro-climatic zones of India.

Biocompatibility and Targeting Efficiency of Encapsulated Quinapyramine Sulfate-Loaded Chitosan-Mannitol Nanoparticles in a Rabbit Model of Surra.

Quinapyramine sulfate (QS) produces trypanocidal effects against the parasite but is often poorly tolerated and causes serious reactions in animals. The encapsulation of QS in chitosan-mannitol to provide sustained release would improve both the therapeutic effect of QS and the quality of life of animals treated with this formulation. QS was encapsulated into a nanoformulation prepared from chitosan, tripolyphosphate, and mannitol nanomatrix (ChQS-NPs).

Synthesis and evaluation of isometamidium-alginate nanoparticles on equine mononuclear and red blood cells.

Isometamidium hydrochloride (ISMM) is an effective drug for the treatment of trypanosomosis, but it causes local and systemic toxicity. Isometamidium hydrochloride has limited therapeutic index and exhibit considerable variation in their prophylactic activities. We developed a trypanocidal nanoformulation using ISMM and polymers sodium alginate/gum acacia to enhance the efficacy of the drug at lower doses, while minimizing undesirable side effects.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of a trypanocidal drug quinapyramine sulfate loaded-sodium alginate nanoparticles in mammalian cells.

We synthesized quinapyramine sulfate loaded-sodium alginate nanoparticles (QS-NPs) to reduce undesirable toxic effects of QS against the parasite Trypanosoma evansi, a causative agent of trypanosomosis. To determine the safety of the formulated nanoparticles, biocompatibility of QS-NPs was determined using Vero, Hela cell lines and horse erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Our experiments unveiled a concentration-dependent safety/cytotoxicity (metabolic activity), genotoxicity (DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations), production of reactive oxygen species and hemolysis in QS-NPs treated cells.

Production and preliminary evaluation of Trypanosoma evansi HSP70 for antibody detection in Equids.

The present immuno-diagnostic method using soluble antigens from whole cell lysate antigen for trypanosomosis have certain inherent problems like lack of standardized and reproducible antigens, as well as ethical issues due to in vivo production, that could be alleviated by in vitro production. In the present study we have identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from T. evansi proteome.

CpG-ODN Class C Mediated Immunostimulation in Rabbit Model of Trypanosoma evansi Infection.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) stimulate immune cells from a wide spectrum of mammalian species. Class C CpG-ODN is relatively stable and has the combined immune effects of both A and B classes of CpG-ODN. Trypanosoma evansi produces the state of immuno-suppression in the infected hosts.

CpG-ODN class C-mediated immunostimulation and its potential against Trypanosoma evansi in equines.

Trypanosoma evansi is the causative agent of surra, which is the most common and widespread trypansomal disease. The infection is mainly restricted to animals, but it has also been documented in human. Trypanosomes possess the thick immunogenic surface coat known as variant surface glycoprotein (VSG).

Quinapyramine sulfate-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles show enhanced trypanocidal activity.

Aim: To reduce the dose, toxic effects and to ensure sustained release of quinapyramine sulfate (QS), a highly effective drug against Trypanosoma evansi.

Materials & Methods: QS-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles (QS-NPs) were formed by emulsion-crosslinking technology using dioctyl-sodium-sulfosuccinate and sodium alginate. The formulation was characterized for size, stability, morphology and functional groups by a zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Neurological trypanosomiasis in quinapyramine sulfate-treated horses--a breach of the blood-brain barrier?

Trypanosoma evansi infection typically produces wasting disease, but it can also develop into a neurological or meningoencephalitis form in equids. Trypanosomiasis in horses was treated with quinapyramine sulfate, and all the 14 infected animals were recovered clinically. After clinical recovery, four animals developed a neurological form of the disease at various intervals.

Development of EMA-2 recombinant antigen based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for seroprevalence studies of Theileria equi infection in Indian equine population.

Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-transmitted protozoan disease caused by Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi. In the present study, we expressed a 53kDa protein from the truncated EMA-2 gene of T. equi (Indian strain) and developed EMA-2ELISA using this expressed protein.

Descriptive epidemiology of equine influenza in India (2008-2009): temporal and spatial trends.

Equine influenza is a contagious viral disease that affects all members of the family Equidae, i.e., horses, donkeys and mules.

Heat shock protein 90 as a drug target against protozoan infections: biochemical characterization of HSP90 from Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma evansi and evaluation of its inhibitor as a candidate drug.

Using a pharmacological inhibitor of Hsp90 in cultured malarial parasite, we have previously implicated Plasmodium falciparum Hsp90 (PfHsp90) as a drug target against malaria. In this study, we have biochemically characterized PfHsp90 in terms of its ATPase activity and interaction with its inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) and evaluated its potential as a drug target in a preclinical mouse model of malaria. In addition, we have explored the potential of Hsp90 inhibitors as drugs for the treatment of Trypanosoma infection in animals.

Proteomics of Trypanosoma evansi infection in rodents.

Background: Trypanosoma evansi infections, commonly called 'surra', cause significant economic losses to livestock industry. While this infection is mainly restricted to large animals such as camels, donkeys and equines, recent reports indicate their ability to infect humans. There are no World Animal Health Organization (WAHO) prescribed diagnostic tests or vaccines available against this disease and the available drugs show significant toxicity.