Bilharzia Appendicitis: Incidence in a Commune in Mali, about 3CAS

Appendicitis bilharzia is a very rare condition and we report 3 cases of this pathology that sense clinical and biological similarities with bacterial appendicitis. The etiological diagnosis was exclusively histopathological, this allowed to highlight eggs of Schistosome in the appendicular wall in the three patients. The surgical treatment was supplemented by a specific medical treatment based on praziquantel. The surgical suites were simple for 2 patients, complicated by superficial parietal suppuration in a patient.

Egg rejection behavior and clutch characteristics of the European Greenfinch introduced to New Zealand

Animal populations,with a known history of introduction events,provide opportunities to study the dynamics of how rapid shi s in ecological context a ect behavioral(e.g.,responses to brood parasitism) and life-history(e.g.,clutch and egg parameters) traits.We studied the European Green nch(Carduelis chloris) introduced to New Zealand,regarding foreign-egg rejection behaviors and also compared their clutch characteristics with data from the source populations in the United Kingdom.Although previously this species had been considered an unsuitable host for the Common Cuckoo(Cuculus canorus),and not impacted by selection pressure associated with brood parasitism,we found that Green nches in our study population were able to eject experimental eggs at low frequencies.In contrast,nest desertion rates were similar in experimentally parasitized and control unmanipulated nests,implying that nest desertion is not an antiparasite adaptation in this species.Contrary to previous studies,we did not nd signi cant di erences in clutch and egg sizes between introduced and source populations.is study emphasizes(1) the importance of using control treatments in studies of host responses to experimental parasitism,(2) including apparently unsuitable hosts of brood parasites,and(3) meta-replicating prior studies to further the process of gaining and validating scienti c knowledge.

In vitro Screening of Ginkgolic Acids for Antiparasitic Activity against Cryptosporidium andersoni

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa that causes self-limiting diarrhea in immunocompetent individuals, and it may also cause chronic and life-threatening diarrhea in those that are immunocompromised[1]. The two main routes of Cryptosporidium transmission are via water and food. At least 30 Cryptosporidium species have been confirmed, including C. andersoni, with more than 70 genotypes of undefined species.

Cryptosporidium infection in solid organ transplantation

Diarrhea is a common complication in solid organ transplant(SOT) recipients and may be attributed to immunosuppressive drugs or infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. Cryptosporidium usually causes self-limited diarrhea in immunocompetent hosts. Although it is estimated that cryptosporidium is involved in about 12% of cases of infectious diarrhea in developing countries and causes approximately 748000 cases each year in the United States, it is still an under recognized and important cause of infectious diarrhea in SOT recipients. It may run a protracted course with severe diarrhea, fluid and electrolyte depletion and potential for organ failure. Although diagnostic methodologies have improved significantly, allowing for fast and accurate identification of the parasite, treatment of the disease is difficult because antiparasitic drugs have modest activity at best. Current management includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, reduction of immunosuppression and single therapy with Nitazoxanide or combination therapy with Nitazoxanide and other drugs. Future drug and vaccine development may add to the currently poor armamentarium to manage the disease. The current review highlights key epidemiological, diagnostic and management issues in the SOT population.

Anti-microsporidial effect of thymoquinone on Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection in vitro

Objective:To evaluate the anti-microsporidial effects of the active component of Nigella sativa seeds,thymoquinone,against Encephalitozoon intestinalis using an in vitro model.Methods:Anti-microsporidial effect of thymoquinone against Encephalitozoon intestinalis was evaluated by using various concentrations of thymoquinone(0,1,5,10,15,20,30,35,and 40μM)and sterile dimethyl sulfoxide.Real time PCR was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of thymoquinone on the life cycle of Encephalitozoon intestinalis.Results:The cytotoxic effect of thymoquinone on HEK293 cell line was observed with 30,35,and 40μM concentrations of thymoquinone after 24,48,and 72 hours of incubation.It was observed that 10,15,20,and 30μM concentrations of thymoquinone decreased the spore density compared with the control;however,it was significant only at 30μM.Conclusions:Thymoquinone shows potent anti-microsporidial effects against Encephalitozoon intestinalis in the in vitro model;however,the toxic concentrations of thymoquinone are also toxic to the host cells.

Antibacterial and antiparasitic activities analysis of a hepcidinlike antimicrobial peptide from Larimichthys crocea

As an economically important marine fish,the large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea suffered from marine white spot disease caused by the ectoparasite Cryptocaryon irritans in recent years.This disease not only could result in physiological damage,but also lead to secondary bacterial invasion.Reports indicated some AMPs(antimicrobial peptides)were of antiparasitic activity to C.irritans.Hepcidin-like(Lc-HepL)was one of the significant differential expression genes excavated from the transcriptome following a challenge with C.irritans.In this study,we characterized this AMP’s bioactivity based on the levels of mRNA and protein.After challenged by C.irritans,qRT-PCR showed Lc-HepL was significantly upregulated in six tissues,including gill,muscle,liver,head kidney and spleen during theront infection,trophont falling off,and secondary bacterial invasion stages,which implicated a role Lc-HepL played in the immune defense against C.irritans and secondary bacterial infection.Recombinant Lc-HepL(rLc-HepL)was induced and purified successfully.rLc-HepL exhibited antibacterial activity to certain bacteria in a dose-and time-dependent manners.Anti-C.irritans activity was explored for the first time and found it could cause the theronts membrane rupture and contents leakage.These results provided the first evidence that Lc-HepL had strong antiparasitic activity against marine fish ectoparasites C.irritans theronts.Together,data indicated that Lc-HepL might be an important component in the innate immune system against C.irritans and has the potential to be employed in future drug development.

LC–MS characterization, anti-kinetoplastide and cytotoxic activities of natural products from Eugenia jambolana Lam. and Eugenia uniflora

Objective: To evaluate the trypanocidal, leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of Eugenia jambolana(E. jambolana) and Eugenia uniflora(E. uniflora) extracts and fractions.Methods: The products were characterized by LC–MS. Antiparasitic assays were performed and cytotoxicity was evaluated in fibroblastos. In vitro assays were performed using spectrophotometric evaluation. All assays were performed in thrice.Results: The results showed that the extracts and the tannic fraction from E. jambolana inhibited 100% of the epimastigote lines. The ethanolic extract was the most efficient in all concentrations tested against the three parasite strains. In the cytotoxicity assay the flavonoid fraction showed low toxicity. All E. uniflora samples showed cytotoxicity at the highest concentration tested, but the extract showed no toxic effect on the fibroblasts at the lowest concentration. The flavonoid and tannic fractions were more efficient against Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes compared to the extract. However, the extracts and the tannic fraction were more effective against Leishmania infantum strains. The effect on epimastigote cells was observed at all concentrations tested, with all E. uniflora samples. However, the samples were more effective at the highest concentration, where there was inhibition in 100% of the Trypanosoma cruzi strains.Conclusions: The species E. jambolana and E. uniflora presented antiparasitic activity against all tested parasite strains, indicating that these species can serve as an alternative therapy as they were efficient in the tests performed. The E. uniflora extract and the E. jambolana flavonoid fraction presented a low cytotoxicity, opening the floor for new biological studies.

Evaluation of antiparasitic,anticancer,antimicrobial and hypoglycemic properties of organic extracts from Panamanian mangrove plants

Objective: To investigate 33 organic extracts of mangrove plants for: antiparasitic, anticancer, and antibacterial activities, as well as their ability to inhibit the activity of the α-glucosidase enzyme. Methods: Leaves from all different plant mangrove species located in five mangrove zones of the Pacific coast of Panama were collected according to standard procedures. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the organic extracts was performed by thin layer chromatography. The antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani, toxicity against Artemia salina, anticancer activity in MCF-7 cell line, and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa of all organic extract were investigated according protocols stablished in our institution. Finally, the ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of α-glucosidase was evaluated by monitoring the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl α-Dglucopyranoside. Results: Thirty-three different samples belonging to nine different species of vascular plants with seeds of true mangroves were collected. Triterpenoids, phenolics, and tannins were the main groups of compounds found in the sampled mangroves. Saponins, quinones, and coumarins were found in less than 50%of the samples. Laguncularia racemosa showed moderate activity against Plasmodium falciparum. None of the extracts presented anticancer activity. Rhizophora mangle exhibited potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis [(90.41 ±7.33)% and(96.02±6.14)% of inhibition]; Avicennia germinans and Conocarpus erectus had activity against Escherichia coli[(71.17±6.15)% and(60.60±5. 13)% of inhibition,respectively]. About 60% of the mangroves showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In particular, extracts from Laguncularia racemosa, Pelliciera rhizophorae, Conocarpus erectus, Mora oleifera, and Tabebuia palustris species showed α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, with IC_(50) values of(29.45±0.29),(20.60±0.70),(730.06±3.74),(25.59±0.37), and(853.39±5.30) μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Panamanian mangroves are mainly a promising potential source of hypoglycemic compounds, specifically α-glucosidase inhibitors.These results highlight the therapeutic virtues of extracts from American mangrove plants.

Chemical Composition and Biological Significance of Thymol as Antiparasitic

Thymol is one of the most important phytochemical components because of its pharmacological and bioactive potential effects. This review focuses particularly on thymol as an alternative natural antiparasitic with potential use in the pharmaceutical industry. This is in line with the preferences of the natural products for treatment being safer and without side effects. The biosynthesis pathways of thymol and carvacrol have been discussed, and mechanism of action of thymol on parasites. Studies on thymol confirmed the activity of thymol as anti-parasite against anthelmintic, Trypanosoma ssp., Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Plasmodium falciparum, Giardia duodenalis, Eimeria ssp., Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium galli.

Extra-pair paternity and antiparasitic defence

Background:Extra-pair paternity(EPP)in birds provides benefits in terms of more offspring,and characteristics for maintenance of this behaviour have been the subject of investigation.Microorganisms are known to be transmitted during mating,especially when mating with multiple partners,and factors reducing this cost of multiple mating are expected.Further,plumage brightness and colour intensity have been shown to be important traits to benefits from multiple mating as predicted by sexual selection.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the rate of extra-pair paternity and the relative size of the uropygial gland at the interspecific level,as the uropygial gland is an exocrine gland hypothesized to produce antiparasitic substances and further identified to affect plumage brightness.Because of the expected benefits of large uropygial gland in scenarios of sexual selection,we predicted a positive correlation with EPP.Methods:We collected information from the literature of uropygial gland size and frequency of extra-pair paternity of 60 avian species of different families and explored the predicted positive correlation between them.We did so with means of comparative analyses that considered phylogenetic relationship as random factor and included body mass as covariate.We used Markov chain Monte Carlo generalized linear mixed models that were weighted by number of nests used to estimate extra-pair paternity.Results:We detected a positive relationship between level of extra-pair paternity and uropygial gland size at an interspecific level.This finding is consistent with the prediction.Conclusions:We discuss the importance of this result in scenarios of sexual selection and argue that the detected relationship may have arisen by utilizing antiparasitic secretions through secondary sexual characters indicating parasite resistance.

Modulation of biological activities produced by an endophytic fungus under different culture conditions

The effect of culture conditions on the production of bioactive secondary metabolites by the endophytic fungus Arthrinium State of Apiospora Montagnei Sacc. was investigated. Culture broths were partitioned with ethyl acetate and the resulting extracts were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, and antiparasitic activities. The highest levels of activities were arisen from cultures cultivated at 30。C in modified Czapek medium. The best antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 90 μg/ml), and against Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC 130 μg/ml) were found in extracts from cultures grown in medium containing 3.1% (w/v) sucrose and 0.1% (w/v) sodium nitrate at pH 4.0 after 9 days of incubation. Cultures grown in medium without modification also showed antiparasitic and antitumoral activities after 9 days at pH 4.0, antifungal activity against Candida albicans at pH 4.0 - 7.0 (MIC 140 μg/ml), but against A. fumigatus just after 27 days of incubation. A specific bioactive compound may have its production improved if the culture conditions parameters that affect or influence the production were known, which in turn makes the purification process easier.

Production of Improved Traditional Medicines： Case of Antiparasitarian in Goat Summary on the Current Stage of Work

The importance of gastrointestinal parasitic infections is due both to their frequency and the severity of the disorders they cause. Parasitism is one of the causes of the brake of the profitability of goat farms. Breeders thus have to face this thorny challenge which constitutes a real handicap to the development of this breeding. The high costs of interventions and veterinary medicines as well as the tow incomes of livestock farmers are attracting increasing interest and demand for traditional medicines. Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys and laboratory analysis on Vitex thomasii De Wild have revealed its safety and confirmed its antiparasitic properties on goats. The use of indices of credibility has permitted to choose Vitex thomasii De Wild amongst many other recipes recorded in 2011 in Democratic Republic of Congo. This recipe has permitted the production of an antiparasitic improved traditional medicine. The determination of dose and conditioning, unknown in traditional medicine, followed by good manufacturing practices has led to easy administration and conservation of phytomedicine.

A case report on subarachnoid and intraventricular neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is the most common central nervous system helminthic infection in humans.We hereby present a case combining two rare manifestations of neurocysticercosis:the subarachnoid and intraventricular forms.The patient presented with hydrocephalus and neurologic deficits and although endoscopic removal of the cysts and two cycles of postoperative cysticidal drugs resulted in resolution of symptoms,they later recurred.Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and a further cycle of albendazole plus dexamethasone led to substantial clinical improvement.Extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis may be challenging to diagnose and treat and is usually associated with a poorer prognosis.Clinicians should be aware of this condition.

CHEMICAL VARIATION OF ESSENTIAL OILCONSTITUENTS OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LINN FROM BENIN AND INFLUENCE ON ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIPARASITIC PROPERTIES

Previous work has shown great variations in the chemical composition of Ocimum gratissimum Linn essential oils(EOs).Our aim was to study the influence of this variation on their antimicrobial,anti-parasitic effects and toxicity.Methods:EOs from aerial part collected in two vegetative stages and three moments of harvest were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS and GC/FID.