Iranian Journal of Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Frequency of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Livestock Meats Using Nested PCR and RFLP in Sabzevar City, Iran.","authors":"Jalal Aliabadi, Amir Tavakoli Kareshk, Iraj Sharifi, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi, Arghavan Ziaali, Hossein Kamyabi, Naser Ziaali, Seyed Mohammad Mousavi","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We investigated the prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in slaughtered livestock (sheep, goats, camels) in Sabzevar, Eastern Iran using nested PCR methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Samples of diaphragm and heart tissue were collected from 40 sheep, 40 goats, and 40 camels at local slaughterhouses. DNA was extracted from the samples and analyzed using nested PCR targeting the <i>B1</i> gene of <i>T. gondii</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicate an overall prevalence of 60% (24/40) in sheep, with 37.5% (15/40) of diaphragm samples and 22.5% (9/40) of heart samples testing positive. In goats, the overall prevalence was 52.5% (21/40), with 35% (14/40) of diaphragm and 17.5% (7/40) of heart samples positive. Camels showed the highest prevalence at 65% (26/40), with 45% (18/40) of diaphragm and 20% (8/40) of heart samples infected. Diaphragm tissue showed higher infection rates compared to the heart in all species. No significant difference was found in infection rates between male and female animals. RFLP analysis using XhoI on selected positive PCR products differentiated genotypes based on digestion patterns. Among analyzed samples (19 per species), genotypes II/III were identified in 57.9% (11/19) of sheep, 36.8% (7/19) of goats, and 47.4% (9/19) of camels, with the remainder likely genotype I or undigested II/III.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high prevalence rates observed, especially in diaphragm tissue and in camels, have important implications for public health and food safety. Enhanced meat inspection, public education, and further research on effective control measures are recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"237-246"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Helmintological Examination of <i>Pica pica</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Passeriformes: Corvidae) Specimens Collected from Bursa and Its Surroundings in Türkiye.","authors":"Mohamed Warsame Dirshe, Hikmet Sami Yıldırımhan, Yeliz Civil, Adel Mohammed Redhwan, Sinem Yıldırım, Ali Adan Hassan","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Eurasian magpie, <i>Pica pica</i> (Linnaeus, 1758), is a widely distributed bird species inhabiting both rural and urban environments in Türkiye. Despite its ecological importance, information on its helminth fauna remains limited. We aimed to investigate the helminth fauna of <i>P. pica</i> specimens collected in Bursa Province and to contribute to the knowledge of parasite biodiversity in Türkiye.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 53 <i>P. pica</i> specimens, brought dead between June 2015 and August 2025 from Bursa Zoo and the Celal Acar Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Karacabey Ova Korusu, Bursa, Türkiye), were examined for helminths using standard parasitological techniques. Recovered helminths were identified morphologically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten helminth species were identified: <i>Brachylaima fuscata</i> (Rudolphi, 1819) Joyeux, Baer & Timon-David, 1932, <i>B. lobatum</i> (Railliet, 1900), <i>Lyperosomum longicauda</i> (Rudolphi, 1809) (Digenea); <i>Raillietina echinobothrida</i> (Megnin, 1881), <i>Passerilepis stylosa</i> (Rudolphi, 1809), <i>Choanotaenia macracantha</i> (Krabbe, 1869) (Cestoda); <i>Dispharynx nasuta</i> (Rudolphi, 1819), <i>Baruscapillaria obsignata</i> (Madsen, 1945) Moravec, 1982, <i>B. resecta</i> (Dujardin, 1845) (Nematoda); and <i>Sphaerirostris picae</i> (Rudolphi, 1819) (Acanthocephala). <i>R. echinobothrida</i>, <i>C. macracantha</i>, <i>B. obsignata</i>, and <i>B. resecta</i> were recorded from <i>P. pica</i> for the first time worldwide. In addition, <i>B. fuscata</i>, <i>B. lobatum</i>, <i>L. longicauda</i>, <i>C. macracantha</i>, <i>P. stylosa</i>, and <i>B. resecta</i> represent new records for the helminth fauna of Türkiye.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study expands current knowledge of the helminth fauna of <i>P. pica</i> and provides several novel host and geographical records. The findings highlight the importance of continued parasitological investigations of wild birds in Türkiye to improve our understanding of parasite diversity and host-parasite associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"205-226"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471160/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148763855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic Effects of Combined Caryophyllene and Albendazole against Invaginated and Evaginated Protoscoleces of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i>.","authors":"Maryam Khodadadi, Mohammad Javad Pour Maram, Hossein Amini Khoei, Hadi Raeisi Shahraki, Ebrahim Saedi Dezaki","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Natural compounds have garnered increasing attention as candidate antiparasitic therapeutics. We aimed to evaluate the protoscolicidal efficacy of caryophyllene (CAP), alone and in combination with albendazole (ALZ), against hydatid cyst protoscoleces.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Suspensions of 10,000 invaginated and evaginated protoscoleces (400 μL normal saline) were exposed to CAP (62.5-500 μg/mL), ALZ (250 μg/mL), or CAP+ALZ combinations in 24-well culture plates. Protoscolex viability was assessed by eosin exclusion test. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction was quantified using the DCFH-DA assay, and pre-apoptotic gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CAP, particularly in combination with ALZ, significantly reduced the viability of both invaginated and evaginated protoscoleces in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Combination therapy achieved 100% mortality of invaginated protoscoleces within 10-30 minutes, demonstrating significant synergism over either monotherapy. Evaginated protoscolex viability was also markedly diminished. The observed scolicidal activity was mechanistically correlated with apoptosis induction, evidenced by elevated ROS production and significant upregulation of caspase-3 and P53 gene expression (<i>P</i><0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CAP, particularly in combination with ALZ, exhibits potent <i>in vitro</i> protoscolicidal activity against hydatid cyst protoscoleces, with apoptosis induction and ROS generation implicated as underlying mechanisms. Further pharmacodynamic investigations and clinical trials are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and evaluate the therapeutic potential of CAP-based combination therapy in the management of cystic echinococcosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"185-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471047/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic Accuracy of Urine Test Strip and Morbidity Indicators of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Kwara State, Nigeria.","authors":"Olufunke Adenike Opeyemi, Iyabo Adepeju Simon-Oke, Titus Adeniyi Olusi","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The efficient management of schistosomiasis depends on the rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection. Rapid diagnostic tests are essential for identifying morbidity markers of urogenital schistosomiasis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1,341 urine samples collected from school-age pupils in Kwara State were screened for <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> eggs using the syringe filtration method. Haematuria and proteinuria were assessed using commercial urine rea-gent strips (Medi-Test Combur-9).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 277 paticipants were infected, of which children >15 yr accounted for 37.5% of the disease prevalence. Only light and moderate infection was observed. Microhaematuria varied significantly with egg intensity (<i>P</i><0.05), but no association was found between hematuria severity and age. The overall prevalence of macrohaematuria was 1.3%, while microhaematuria and proteinuria were 53.9% and 19%, respectively. Macrohaematuria was found in 88.9% of <i>S. haematobium</i>-positive children while 13% of positive children tested negative for microhaematuria. Microhaematuria showed higher sensitivity (70.8%) compared to other biomarkers, while macrohaematuria had higher specificity (99.8%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the absence of other morbidity markers, microhaematuria appears to be a good proxy for urogenital schistosomiasis in our setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"227-236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Detection and Genotyping of <i>Dientamoeba fragilis</i> from Human Stool Specimens in Nineveh Governorate.","authors":"Faten Khairuldeen Fathi, Intisar Ghanim Abdulwahhab, Ahmed Thabit Jabar","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We investigated <i>Dientamoeba fragilis</i> molecular distribution and genetic types among Nineveh Governorate patients with symptoms through SSU rRNA gene PCR amplification and sequencing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty stool samples were collected from symptomatic patients aged 3-68 years attending the Medical Research Hospital in Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq in 2024. Genomic DNA was extracted using the Presto^™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit. The PCR reaction used species-specific primers DF400/DF1250 to produce ~850 bp amplicons. Positive products were sequenced and examined using BLAST, MEGA 11, DnaSP, and PopART. The Maximum Likelihood method used the Tamura 3-parameter model to perform phylogenetic analysis. PCR detection indicated <i>D. fragilis</i> in 12/50 stool samples, corresponding to a prevalence of 24%.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The BLAST analysis showed that the sequence had 97%-99.7% similarity to global reference strains (AY730405). The study identified three haplotypes which contained three mutations while showing a haplotype diversity (Hd) of 0.318 that indicated minimal genetic diversity. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolated strains belonged to genotype 1 but U37461 formed a separate line-age as genotype 2. The Iraqi isolates showed sequence similarity to genotype 1 reference strains reported globally.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides additional molecular evidence of <i>D. fragilis</i> in northern Iraq and the second report nationally. Genotype 1 was identified among all analyzed isolates with minimal genetic variation between different groups. The molecular detection methods delivered vital diagnostic data but scientists need to expand their surveillance activities to study animal disease transmission to humans and animal disease progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"287-296"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Significance and Subtype Distribution of <i>Blastocystis</i> Infection with Colonoscopy Findings.","authors":"Erdogan Malatyali, Ismail Taskiran, Levent Durmus Guler, Adil Coskun, Evren Tileklioglu, Hatice Ertabaklar, Ibrahim Yildiz, Sema Ertug","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As the role of <i>Blastocystis</i> in the pathogenesis of intestinal disorders remains controversial, we aimed to clarify its clinical significance and subtype (ST) distribution in relation to colonoscopic findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fecal samples were collected from adult patients scheduled for colonoscopy in Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Gastroenterology Department in 2023, 125 consecutive patients with colonic abnormalities and 125 with normal mucosa. <i>Blastocystis</i> positivity was determined with direct microscopy and amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (<i>SSU rRNA</i>) gene. Subtypes were determined based on exact database matches. Demographic characteristics and clinical findings of participants were statistically analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>Blastocystis</i> was detected in 26 fecal samples (10.4%) by direct microscopy and 32 samples (12.8%) by molecular test. Positivity was 16.0% (n=20) in controls and 9.6% (n=12) in patients with colonic abnormalities, with no significant difference (<i>P</i>>0.05). In males, <i>Blastocystis</i> was more prevalent in those with normal findings than with abnormalities (n=11, 19.6% vs. n=6, 7.7%, <i>P</i><0.05), whereas no difference was observed in females (<i>P</i>>0.05). Subtype distribution was ST3 (59.4%, n=19), ST2 (21.8%, n=7), and ST1 (18.7%, n=6). No significant association was found between the overall <i>Blastocystis</i> positivity and age, gender, or gastrointestinal symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although limited to routine colonoscopic findings, these results raise questions about the potential association of <i>Blastocystis</i> with a healthy gut or colonic abnormalities. ST3 was the predominant subtype, consistent with national and global reports.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"164-173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Seroprevalence of Canine Leishmaniasis and a Retrospective Survey of Human Leishmaniasis in the Constantine Region of Algeria.","authors":"Nazim Messaoudi, Samir Djemai, Fayçal Zeroual, Noureddine Zeghilet, Abdelfateh Beghriche, Latifa Boultif, Adam Borhan Eddine Bessou","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Algeria, leishmaniasis is characterized by an endemic nature, which appears in humans in the two known forms: visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis within a group of dogs and the incidence of human leishmaniasis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a serological survey of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in 84 asymptomatic dogs in Constantine wilaya (north-west of Algeria). The collected dog sera were tested by the indirect ELISA method. The study considered multiple risk factors, including the breed, sex, age, and location of the dogs. The dogs whose blood samples were taken during this survey came from the following municipalities in Constantine: El-Khroub, Ali Mendjeli, Zighoud Youcef, Aïn Smara, Hamma Bouziane, Didouche Mourad, and Constantine. In parallel, an epidemiological study of human leishmaniasis in the Constantine region was conducted. We collected retrospective data on the two forms of human leishmaniasis from Constantine's Department of Public Health between 2016 and 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The incidence of CanL observed in the study was 8.33% (with 7 dogs testing positive. During the nine-year study period, 136 cases of CL and VL were recorded. The predominance of CL (with 124 cases, 91.18%) over VL (12 cases, 8.82%) was statistically significant (χ²=92.24; <i>P</i><0.001) throughout the study duration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high seroprevalence of leishmaniasis in asymptomatic owned dogs, along with the significant frequency of human cases of CL and VL in the Constantine region, indicated that leishmaniasis remained a major public health problem in Algeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"265-286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471045/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the Relationship between the Infection Caused by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and the Rate of Infection with Covid-19 Disease and Its Severity.","authors":"Maryam Mozouni, Aliehsan Heidari, Shaghayegh Alipour Aval, Mehrab Asgary Valogerdi, Amir Bairami, Mahmood Bakhtiyari, Hossein Keshavarz","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22090","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"304-306"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471222/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medicinal Plants, Herbal Compounds, and Other Natural Products Used against <i>Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato</i>: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Feza Irem Aldi, Nermin Sakru","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato</i> is a parasite that causes cystic echinococcosis in humans and herbivorous mammals, especially in the liver and lungs. The main treatment for cystic echinococcosis is surgery, but the primary risk of this method is the rupture of the cyst formed by the parasite and the spread of infectious protoscolices, leading to the formation of secondary cysts. Although many drugs are now used as scolicidal agents, their side effects have led to the acceptance of natural products as scolicidal agents. In this review, we aimed to investigate the scolicidal activities of various natural products. Studies on medicinal plants, herbal compounds, and other natural products with scolicidal activity against <i>Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato</i> protoscolices between 2000 and 2024 were searched using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Information from the studies included the type of medicinal plant used, herbal compound or natural product information, concentration, exposure time, and scolicidal activity. This review analyzed 103 studies that assessed the efficacy of 60 natural products against <i>Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato</i>, including 39 medicinal plants, 15 herbal compounds, and six other natural products. The most frequently observed medicinal plants were from the <i>Lamiaceae</i> family, of which <i>Zataria multiflora</i> was the most studied species. In addition, thymol and propolis were the most commonly studied herbal compounds and other natural products. This review focuses on medicinal plants, herbal compounds and other natural products with potential scolicidal agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"147-163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471205/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles Ameliorate the <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Immunosuppressed Mice.","authors":"Leila Masoori, Ruaa Majid Khazaal, Marzieh Rashidipour, Maryam Sepahvand, Hossein Mahmoudvand","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In immunocompromised individuals, <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection can disseminate rapidly, causing severe cerebral and visceral complications. This study aimed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via green synthesis and evaluate their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms in immunosuppressed murine models of toxoplasmosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mice were immunosuppressed using dexamethasone prior to infection with the Tehran strain of <i>T. gondii</i>. AuNPs were administered orally at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, alone or combined with pyrimethamine (PYR; 10 mg/kg), in a 0.2 mL volume for 14 days. Survival rates were monitored daily. Brain cyst number and size were assessed microscopically. Oxidative stress markers, cytokine levels, and bradyzoite surface antigen 1 (BAG1) gene expression were analyzed by real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Synthesized AuNPs exhibited cubic morphology with an average size of 20-30 nm. Combined AuNPs-PYR treatment significantly improved survival and reduced brain cyst burden (<i>P</i>=0.001). Treatment markedly decreased malondialde-hyde (MDA) levels while enhancing glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (<i>P</i><0.01). Gene expression analysis demonstrated down-regulation of BAG1 and IL-4 (<1.3-fold) alongside upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-12 (>4-fold). Hepatic and renal biomarkers were also significantly improved.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AuNPs, particularly in combination with PYR, demonstrate significant efficacy against toxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed murine models. Clinical trials are warranted to further assess the safety and therapeutic potential of this combination approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"21 2","pages":"174-184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471231/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}