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Background: Trichobilharzia regenti (T. regenti) is an avian schistosomatid fluke species that causes human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) in areas of aquaculture in northern Iran. Understanding the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of this thread‐like fluke will deepen our thoughtful of avian schistosomiasis epidemiology and lead to more effective HCD control in the region. Objectives: To determine the life cycle of nasal Trichobilharzia in aquatic birds as well as aquatic snails and also identify the haplotype diversity of the isolates in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Methods: In the present study, adult or egg of Trichobilharzia isolated from aquatic birds as well as schistosomes cercariae isolated from aquatic snails in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, belonged to the authors' previous research, were examined. Molecular studies and phylogenetic analysis were carried out on these schistosomes samples. Results: The phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1 and COX1 genes in isolated schistosomes revealed that all samples belong to the T. regenti clade. Remarkably, based on phylogenetic results, these schistosomes samples from Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, A. platyrhynchos, Spatula clypeata and Lymnaea stagnalis grouped together with previously sequenced samples from Iran (Trichobilharzia cf. regenti). Unlike the phylogenetic tree and haplotype network of COX1 gene, ITS1 did not show distinct clusters. Conclusion: This study completed the puzzle of the disease in Mazandaran Province by isolating and genotyping furkocercariae from L. stagnalis that was consistent with the isolated new genotype from ducks. For the first time in Iran, this confirmed the potential role of L. stagnalis snails in the transmission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important health challenges in hyperendemic countries like Iran. Geospatial information systems‐based studies have shown that factors, including land cover, altitude, slope temperature, rainfall and animal livestock, affect CL distribution in Kohgyloyeh and Boyerahmad province, southwestern Iran. However, the question of the influence of nomadic tribes, who travel with their goats and sheep, on CL is unanswered. We, therefore, investigated their role in CL epidemiology from 2008 to 2017 and compare them with geoclimatic factors. CL patient demographic data and their village/city addresses were retrieved from Provincial Health Center and mapped on the geographic information system (GIS) layer of the province's political divisions. Nomadic travel routes (NTRs) with a 2 km buffer were generated and their effect on CL was investigated together with the interpolated layers of rainfall, temperatures, humidity, slope, elevation, land covers, by binary regression. CL was significantly more common in villages/cities in the 2 km NTR zone (p value <.001; OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.4–2.745). Geoclimatic factors, including slope, elevation, rainfall, temperatures, humidity and most of the landcovers, were not significantly different inside and outside the NTR. Areas of irrigated farm were the only effective landcover on CL (p value =.049; OR = 2.717; 95% CI = 1.003–7.361) within the NTR versus non‐NTR. Living within NTRs almost doubled the risk of acquiring CL. Several factors for this include passage through areas of high sand fly activity, increased contact between sandflies and humans, sheep and goats, and feeding on their blood and faeces, and low availability of health facilities that should be more investigated and considered in the future control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major health problem in Iran, with a heavy burden on human health and society. There is little knowledge about the molecular epidemiology of the disease, as well as phylogenetic relationship of causative agents in south‐eastern Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular aspects of CL, especially atypical CL in the Bam district, Kerman province, south‐eastern Iran, as an endemic region of CL in Iran. The smears were collected from lesion samples of 353 patients clinically suspected to CL, who attended local health centres in the Bam district during 2016–2017. Direct smears were examined for Leishmania parasites using the Giemsa staining technique. Amplification of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1(ITS‐1) gene were carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, the ITS1‐PCR products were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Overall, 278 cases were confirmed as CL by microscopic examination of Giemsa‐stained slides. Clinical presentation of the lesions was basically of two types: (a) typical lesions and (b) atypical including lupoid ulcers, sporotrichoid, nodular and exudative lesions. The PCR assay on all specimens of skin lesions proved L. tropica as the main pathogenic agent. Phylogenic analysis revealed high similarity among isolates from the Bam district in the south‐east with isolates from Birjand in eastern Iran, as well as with isolates from Herat province in western Afghanistan. The study provided valuable information concerning the genetic diversity of the parasite as one of the factors influencing the clinical manifestations in CL in south‐eastern Iran, which could be the basis for planning future control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most common disorders of the endocrine system is diabetes mellitus. This disease is associated with dyslipidemia. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that secreted by adipocytes and has an important role in regulating of glucose and fatty acid metabolic pathways. This study was designed to investigate the changes in serum level of adiponectin in diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extracts of three medicinal plants; jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and saffron (Crocus sativus) in comparison with quercetin. Streptozotocin -induced diabetic male rats were gavaged with specified doses of the extracts (25 and 100mg/kg) for two weeks. At the end of treatment period, fasting blood specimens were collected. The levels of adiponectin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), total Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured. Statistical analysis showed that serum levels of triglyceride and VLDL decreased significantly (P<0.05) in all treated groups. FBS level in all treated groups, decreased significantly and reach to normoglycemic level (P<0.05). Except Jujube, other plant extracts had no effect on cholesterol. Jujube in two doses (25 and 100mg/kg) could increased significantly HDL-C (P<0.05) with no effect on total cholesterol and LDL-C. Serum adiponectin level increased in all treated groups. These beneficial effects of C. sativus, B. vulgaris and Z. jujube extracts and quercetin in diabetic rats may be associated with increase in adiponectin level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of three in-house diagnostic tests, that is, histopathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the diagnosis after experimental infection with Toxocara cati. Twenty Mongolian gerbils and Wistar rats were divided into ten groups (n = 2/group). Toxocara cati infections were established in Mongolian gerbils and Wistar rats by administering doses of 240 and 2500 embryonated Toxocara cati eggs by gavage, respectively. Tissue sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and observed under the light microscope. Sera and vitreous fluid collected from separate infected groups were tested against Toxocara cati antigens, for 92 days postinfection. Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks, and aqueous fluids belong to the animals. The histopathology test gave negative results among the groups of animals examined between 5 and 92 days postinfection. The ELISA results showed that anti-Toxocara antibodies have risen between 7 and 61 days postinfection in sera and vitreous fluid in the animals infected, respectively. Analysis of PCR products revealed positive band (660 bp) in the orbital tissue infected Mongolian gerbils at 5 days postinfection. Of the three evaluated methods, the PCR could be recommended for scientific and laboratory diagnoses of toxocariasis in experimentally infected animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major ( L. major ) is an endemic disease in Iran. The current reference drugs, including Glucantime, possess high toxicity in addition to some side-effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring biomedical plants. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the anti-leishmanial activity and cytotoxicity of hydroalcoholic extracts from Prosopis farcta ( P. farcta ) over promastigote and amastigote forms., Methods: This study was performed at the Iran Birjand University of Medical Sciences, during the year 2019. In this study, the hydroalcoholic extracts of the stems, leaves (LE) and fruits (FE) of P. farcta were obtained. The anti-leishmanial activity was assessed against leptomonad promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of L. major . The cytotoxicity of these extracts was determined in murine macrophages., Results: The FE and LE of P. farcta demonstrated a significant leishmanicidal effect against L. major promastigotes with an IC50 of 0.9 mg/mL and 1.1 mg/mL, respectively. The FE showed the most anti-leishmanial activity and presented with the highest index of selectivity (SI=14.6) as an anti-leishmanial product. Infected macrophages treated using the FE showed a reduction in parasite burden by 97.3%., Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated the leishmanicidal activity of P. farcta on both promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. There is a need for performing comprehensive studies on relevant animal models and to access the effects of active components of P. farcta extract on the growth of L. major.

Little is known about the genotypes of Echinococcus spp. and their life cycles in eastern Iran. We analysed the partial sequences of the nad1 and cox1 genes from 17 isolates from hydatid cyst-infected patients (n=9), camels (n=5) and sheep (n=3) in Birjand, eastern Iran. A new primer pair was also used to amplify the long fragment (1180bp) of the cox1 gene. All camel and eight human isolates were G6 strains of Echinococcus canadensis while one human isolate and the three sheep isolates were G1 genotypes (sheep strain) of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.). Nad1 and cox1 sequence analyses showed high G6 genetic homogeneity, similar to previously reported G6 strains from southeast and central Iran, Sudan and Mauritania. Low nucleotide and haplotype diversity similar to G6 strains from Russia (Altai republic) and Kazakhstan was also found, consistent with a bottleneck effect. In this study, G6 was the most common Echinococcus genotype. Genetic homogeneity of east, southeast and central Iranian G6 and its low genetic diversity may be due limited mobility and contact between humans and camels from other regions because of large, inhospitable deserts., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by an increased level of lipoprotein (a) and a decreased level of adiponectin, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients. To reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients, use of agents with antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic potential is required. Using an animal model of diabetes, we investigated the antiatherogenic potential of extracts of three medicinal plants: jujube, barberry, and saffron. For this, serum level of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, adiponectin and lipoprotein (a) in diabetic control and extract treated groups were measured. Statistical analysis of measurements showed that serum levels of fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and VLDL decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all treated groups. Treatment with all extracts reduced lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant capacity of the experimental diabetic groups. Serum adiponectin levels increased in all treated groups, whereas lipoprotein (a) levels decreased, most markedly when treated with jujube extract. Jujube, saffron, and barberry extracts are beneficial in ameliorating oxidative stress and atherogenic risk of diabetic rats. This highlights the benefits of further investigating the cardio-protective potential of medicinal plant extracts and evaluating their usefulness as cardio protective agents in clinical practice.