Search

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the world's neglected diseases which is caused by Leishmania spp. The aim of this study was to assess molecular profile and antimony resistance of Leishmania isolated from human and rodent hosts. Samples were collected from suspected CL patients referred to health centres and wild rodent's traps in Gonbad-e-Qabus region, north-eastern Iran. Smears were subjected to PCR-RFLP to identify Leishmania species. In addition, ITS1-PCR products were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Clinical isolates and rodent samples were subjected to MTT assay to determine IC50 values and in vitro susceptibilities. Expression levels of antimony resistance-related genes were determined in CL isolates. Out of 1,949 suspected patients with CL and 148 rodents, 1,704 (87.4%) and 6 (4.05%) were positive with direct smear, respectively. Digestion patterns of BusRI (HaeIII) endonuclease enzyme were similar to what expected for Leishmania major. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the highest interspecies similarity was found between current L. major sequences with L. major obtained from Russia and Uzbekistan. Out of 20 L. major samples tested, 13 (65%) were resistant to meglumine antimoniate (MA) treatment, with an activity index (AI) exceeding 4. The remaining 7 samples (35%) responded to MA treatment and were classified as sensitive isolates, with a confirmed sensitive phenotype based on their AI values. The comparison expression analysis of three major antimony resistance-associated genes in unresponsive clinical isolates demonstrated significant fold changes for TDR1 (4.78-fold), AQP1 (1.3-fold), and γ-GCS (1.17-fold) genes (P < 0.05). Herein, we demonstrate genetic diversity and antimony resistance of L. major isolated from human and reservoir hosts in north-eastern Iran, which could be the basis for planning future control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fascioliasis, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a global zoonotic helminthic disease. The livestock and human are the final hosts of the parasites. Northern Iran is an important endemic region for fascioliasis. Few studies have been conducted on the characterization of Fasciola isolates from eastern regions of the Caspian littoral of the country. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify F. hepatica, F. gigantica and intermediate/hybrid forms of Fasciola isolates from livestock in Golestan province, northern Iran, using morphometric and molecular tools. Methods: Livestock livers naturally infected with Fasciola spp. were collected from Golestan slaughterhouse during 2019–2020. The worms were morphometrically studied using a calibrated stereomicroscope. Genomic DNA was extracted from all samples, and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was performed on internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region using Rsa1 restriction enzyme. All the isolates were then analysed by multiplex PCR on Pepck region. Results: A total of 110 Fasciola isolates were collected from the infected livers, including 94 sheep, 12 cattle and 4 goats. Morphometric analysis of 61 adult Fasciola isolates indicated that, 44 and 17 isolates belonged to F. hepatica and F. gigantica, respectively. Eighty‐one and 29 isolates belonged to F. hepatica and F. gigantica using ITS1‐RFLP, respectively. However, Pepck Multiplex PCR indicated 72 F. hepatica, 26 F. gigantica and 12 intermediate/hybrid forms. All 12 hybrid isolates were found in sheep host. Two isolates were identified as F. gigantica using morphometry and F. hepatica using both molecular methods. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the existence of both F. hepatica and F. gigantica species and reported the first molecular evidence of hybrid Fasciola isolates in ruminants of Golestan province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Echinococcosis or hydatid disease is one of the most important zoonosis across the world. Materials and Methods: The recombinant P29 protein is considered as a suitable candidate for evaluating diagnostic ELISA to reach a more accurate conclusion. Results: In this study the P29 sequence comprised with somewhat similar sequences registered in Gene Bank and showed 100% identity with P29 sequences derived from Echinococcus granolosus (E. granulosus) (XP_024351425.1), E. multilocularis (AHA85396.1), Endophilin B1 protein of E. granulosus (CDS21096.1). The primary and secondary structure of the peptide was analyzed due to its characterization of peptide motifs to be expressed on MHC Class HLA allels. Conclusion: The recombinant P29 derived peptides can be produced and analyzed due to be determined as vaccine design candidate against Hydatidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]