Attenuation of pathogenesis of Eimeria stiedae sporulated oocysts using Egyptian alginate propolis nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Coccidiosis is a costly and widespread infectious disease that affects mammals and causes huge losses for the global rabbit meat industry. This study evaluated the potency of Egyptian alginate propolis nanoparticles (NPs) in attenuating the infectivity of Eimeria stiedae sporulated oocysts. The gelification method was used to prepare alginate propolis NPs, which were then characterized using a transmission electron microscope and zeta potential analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that the zeta potential of the prepared alginate propolis NPs increased from - 60.60 ± 9.10 mV to -72.26 ± 6.04 mV. The sporulated oocysts were treated with 50 mg/mL of the alginate propolis NPs. Thereafter, the treated oocysts were tested for their ability to infect rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups: the healthy control (G1) group, the infected control (G2) group, and the treated oocyst-infected (G3) group. The rabbits were sacrificed 43 days post-infection (dpi). The infectivity of the oocysts was assessed. The treated oocyst-infected rabbits exhibited slight abdominal distension and dullness symptoms. The G3 group had no oocyst output, with a 100% reduction from 41 dpi until the end of the experiment. Immunologically, the IgG level of the G2 group gradually increased (p ≤ 0.05) much more than that of the G3 group. The IL-12 level in the G3 group significantly increased from 16 dpi until the end of the experiment, nearly reaching the level in healthy animals. Decreased CD4+ and CD8+ immunolabelling was observed in the liver sections of the group infected with the alginate propolis NP-treated oocysts, and there was a remarkable improvement in the histopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that Alg propolis NPs are sufficient to reduce the infectivity of E. stiedae oocysts.

Evaluation of a vaccine candidate isolated from Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst in mice.

Background and Aim: Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and is an animal and public health burden. This study aimed to evaluate the protective potential of affinity-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst antigen as a vaccine candidate according to fecal oocyst shedding, humoral and cellular immune responses, histopathological changes, and the number of parasite developmental stages in ileal and hepatic tissues. Materials and Methods: We isolated oocysts from naturally infected buffalo calves and identified them molecularly as C. parvum isolates (GenBank: ON730707 and ON730708) by targeting the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene. We propagated the C. parvum oocysts in mice. In addition, we prepared crude antigen from the isolated oocysts by purification using cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography coupled with rabbit hyperimmune serum. Then, we divided 81 parasite-free mice into three groups: (1) non-vaccinated non-infected mice, (2) mice orally infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts on week 4 of the experiment, and (3) mice immunized twice with 40 µg/kg of the purified fraction at 2-week intervals. Then, we challenged the vaccinated group with C. parvum oocysts after 2 weeks, and the positive control group was infected at the same time. Results: We observed a prolonged prepatent period and decreased oocyst shedding in the vaccinated infected mice compared with the non-vaccinated infected mice (t < 0.001). The vaccinated mice had significantly higher immunoglobulin G levels than those in the other two groups at all examined weeks. In addition, the production of cytokines interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and IL-15 was activated post-vaccination. After the challenge, all tested cytokines were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the two infected groups compared with the non-vaccinated non-infected group, with the highest levels in the vaccinated infected group. Vaccinated infected mice exhibited significantly fewer pathological lesions in the ileum and liver than non-vaccinated infected mice, which showed prominent histopathological lesions. Endogenous developmental stages of C. parvum indicated that the ileum was more parasitized than the liver and that vaccination resulted in a lower number of oocysts in ileal and hepatic tissues (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our prepared affinity-purified vaccine candidate could be promising in protecting against cryptosporidiosis.

Cellular immune response and scanning electron microscopy in the evaluation of Moringa leaves aqueous extract effect on Cryptosporidium parvum in buffalo intestinal tissue explants.

Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan parasite of human and animals and is considered as an important co-factor in neonatal diarrhea. In this study, an explant culture was used as an in vitro model of buffalo intestine to evaluate the effect of Moringa leaves extract on Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) oocysts using light and scanning electron microscopy and measuring IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-14 in the culture supernatants. C. parvum oocysts were collected from naturally-infected calf feces, isolated, excysted and then co-inoculated with ileal tissue explants culture medium. The prepared Moringa leaves extract was then introduced to the infected tissues in the concentrations of 100 mg/ml and 300 mg/ml. After 24 h, tissues were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Also, culture supernatants were collected for cytokines measurement. C. parvum parasitophorous vacuoles were found attached to the surface of tissue in Cryptosporidium-infected ileal tissue explants. High magnification imaging of ileal tissue explants using scanning electron microscopy showed that Moringa leaves extracts had a great effect on Cryptosporidium-infected ileal tissue explants. There was a high significant (P < 0.001) increase in IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-14 (375, 275 and 90 pg/ml, respectively) in the supernatants of infected non-treated ileal tissue explant culture plate wells compared to the control non-infected ones (74.66, 75 and 50 pg/ml, respectively). A concentration of 100 mg/ml Moringa extract exhibited the highest anticryptosporidial effect causing a significant decrease in IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-14 levels (225, 150 and 65 pg/ml, respectively) compared with supernatants of infected non-treated ileal explant culture plate wells. In this study, explant culturing of buffalo ileal tissues allowed investigating the pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosis using light and scanning electron microscopy and studying changes in cytokine levels in tissues with and without Moringa leaves extract treatment. This model could help to understand the regulation of intestinal secretory and inflammatory responses, and could be useful for the screening of potential anticryptosporidial candidate compounds.

Toxocara vitulorum cuticle glycoproteins in the diagnosis of calves' toxocariasis.

AIM: The current study was designed to isolate and characterize Toxocara vitulorum glycoprotein antigens and then to evaluate its potency in accurate diagnosis of toxocariasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T. vitulorum glycoprotein fractions were isolated using Con-A affinity chromatography. The fractions characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and immunoblot assay. Mass spectrometric analysis was used for identification of proposed structure of the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) fraction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the diagnostic potential of the isolated fractions. RESULTS: Surface of T. vitulorum adult worm revealed two glycoprotein fractions rich in glucose (Glc) and GlcNAc. Three bands of molecular weight 212kDa, 107 kDa, and 93 kDa were detected in Glc fraction by SDS-PAGE. These bands were also detected in GlcNAc fraction with an additional band of 49 kDa. GlcNAc fraction showed more diagnostic potency of calves' toxocariasis; 79% than Glc fraction; 46.9% by indirect ELISA. The additional band of 49 kDa in GlcNAc fraction is probably responsible for its higher diagnostic potentials. Western blotting verified the immunoreactivity of the Glc and GlcNAc isolated fraction as they reacted with calves sera infected with toxocariasis. The proposed structure of GlcNAc fraction was Ser-Meth-Arg-O-methylated GlcNAc. CONCLUSION: GlcNAc-rich fraction of T. vitulorum can be successfully utilized in the diagnosis of calves' toxocariasis.

Immunomodulatory effects of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract in sheep naturally co-infected with Fasciola gigantica and Clostridium novyi.

The current study was designed to evaluate the in vivo fasciolicidal activity of Moringa (M.) oleifera leaf aqueous extract oral administration as well as its antibacterial activity against Clostridium (C.) novyi in sheep naturally co-infected with fascioliasis and C. novyi. Sheep naturally infected with fascioliasis were divided into 3 groups, heavily infected treated group, lightly infected treated group and mixed infection control (non-treated) group. Treatment groups were orally administered M. oleifera leaves aqueous extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg every 48 h for 21 days. Animal body weights, fecal egg count, serum levels of anti-Fasciola IgG, cytokines (IL-2, IL-17, IL-10), and bacterial count of C. novyi were evaluated. The results showed that treatment with M. oleifera improved the body weight gain and decreased fecal egg count in lightly and heavily infected groups compared to the nontreated group with 100% reduction in egg count in lightly infected sheep. Furthermore, the treatment with M. oleifera significantly reduced the serum levels of IgG, IL-2, and IL-17. Interestingly, elevated levels of IL-10 were recorded in both heavily and lightly infected sheep. The treatment with Moringa extract significantly decreased the fecal bacterial count of C. novyi in both heavily and lightly infected groups. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential beneficial effects of M. oleifera leaf against Fasciola (F.) gigantica and C. novyi.

Assessment of Haemonchus contortus larval and adult somatic antigens in sero-diagnosis of haemonchosis in naturally infected sheep and goats.

The current work was carried out to evaluate the potency of larval and adult somatic Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) antigens in detection of haemonchosis among sheep and goats using ELISA. Two hundred and forty-three fecal and blood samples were randomly collected from small ruminants (107 sheep and 136 goats) in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, during the period from June to August 2018. The fecal analysis exhibited that 26.33% of the small ruminants were infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. The overall prevalence of H. contortus was reached 22.22% whereas it was 27.10% and 18.38% among sheep and goats, respectively. The current study elucidated that the larval antigen has claimed more superior diagnostic results compared to the adult somatic H. contortus antigen. The apparent overall sero-prevalence among small ruminants was reached 51.85%. Separately, it was 64.48% in sheep and 41.91% in goats. The larval antigen had proved 96.55% sensitivity and 47.43% specificity, for sheep serum samples. Meanwhile, sensitivity and specificity for goats' sera were 100% and 71.17%, respectively. Diagnostic efficacy of ELISA was recorded 60.74% in sheep and 76.47% in goats. This study deduced that the larval antigen has proved the priority and the potency for diagnosis of H. contortus infection. Moreover, haemonchosis is a prevalent disease among the examined sheep and goats.

Comparative ovicidal activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts on Fasciola gigantica eggs.

BACKGROUND: Fasciolosis is an important zoonotic disease affecting the productive performance of farm animals in Egypt. AIM: The aim of the present study was comparing the ovicidal effect of different extracts as an alcoholic (Methanolic and Ethanolic) and aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extracts on Fasciola gigantica non-embryonated and developed eggs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tested concentrations of extracts ranged from 12.5 to 800 mg/ml. Nitroxynil was used as reference drug with a dose of 100 mg/ml. RESULTS: M. oleifera alcoholic and aqueous extracts showed a concentration-dependent ovicidal effect on F. gigantica non-embryonated and developed eggs. Based on LC50 values, water extract showed the highest ovicidal activity since it registered the lowest values of 2.6 mg/ml on non-embryonated eggs. Non-embryonated eggs were more susceptible to aqueous extract than developed eggs. On the other hand, the developed eggs were more susceptible to ethanolic extract than non-embryonated eggs even the lowest LC50 (12.38 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: M. oleifera leaf extracts especially aqueous extract could be a promising step in the field of controlling fascioliasis. Further, in vivo studies are needed to enlighten the therapeutic potential of M. oleifera extracts in treating F. gigantica infection.

Botanical study of Meryta denhamii Seem. and its antihelminthic activity against Fasciola gigantica.

The anthelmintic activity of the ethanolic extracts of stems and leaves of Meryta denhamii Seem. against adult liver flukes "Fasciola gigantica" was studied in vitro. Although leaves extract was inactive, stems extract exhibited anthelmintic activity and recorded LC50 and LC90 values, 16 and 26 gm/l respectively. The mode of action of the ethanolic extract of the stems on the adult flukes was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tegumental sloughing, loss of spines and deformity of suckers were observed. These damages are responsible for the vermicidal effect of the ethanolic extract of the stems. The saponin contents of the stems (4.25%) and leaves (2.45%) were determined using haemolytic index. The plant was identified based on the macro and micromorphological features of the stem and leaf.

Molluscicidal saponins from leaves of Hedera canariensis.

Activity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of Hedera canariensis (var. Gloire de Maringo) Wild leaves afforded five saponins 1-5. Chemical and spectral methods (MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR) showed that they are glycosides of hederagenin and oleanolic acid. The results showed that 4,5 exhibited molluscicidal properties, compound 1 was inactive. Mortality rate of exposed snails increased by increasing plant extract concentration. Lymnaea cailliaudi was more sensitive to plant extract than Biomphalaria alexandrina. The histopathological study revealed distinct damage in the structure of the stomach and ovotestis of treated L. cailliaudi snails. Saponin content was determined in term of haemolytic index.