Customizing the Protoscolicidal Activity by a Drug Delivery System: Application of Guar Gum in Electrospun Nanofibers.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to control mebendazole drug release from ethyl cellulose nanofibers containing guar gum produced by Electrospinning Method (ESM) on mortality of hydatid cyst protoscoleces under laboratory conditions. METHODS: The study was conducted in Arak Islamic Azad University, 2019. After preparation of ethyl cellulose nanofibers containing guar gum with concentrations 10, 250, 50 and 500 ppm with ESM, the uniformity and fineness of nanofibers were investigated by electron microscope. By determining the absorption of nanofibers during 312 h via spectrophotometry method, the amount of drug release was obtained. Then, the mortality of live protoscoleces in-vitro with nanofibers made with different concentrations was studied during 13 days. RESULTS: Guar gum nanofiber with four concentrations of 10, 50, 250 and 500 ppm had 0.78512, 0.83729, 1.0098 and 1.0633 absorption respectively and showed drug release 42.09%, 39.95%, 33.05% and 30.96% after 312 hours. Therefore, the survival of protoscoleces in the presence of guar gum with four concentrations was zero after 3, 6, 11 and 13 days (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: To produce nanofibers carrying the drug for research related to the treatment of hydatid cysts, the electrospinning technique can be considered as a reliable method.

Fungal and parasitic contamination of indoor public swimming pools in Arak, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Swimming is a popular exercise for different types of people at different ages. Public swimming pools are places where fungal infections can be easily transferred. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of mycological, parasitological, and physicochemical parameters of swimming pools of Arak city. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done for 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014 in six indoor active swimming pools of Arak city (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Samples were collected in four seasons, two times/season; each time, two samples were obtained from six specified locations (shallow level pool, deep level pool, dressing rooms, showers, margin of pool walls, and foot-washing sink) from each pool with a total of 576 samples. Physicochemical parameters including water temperature, pH, turbidity, and the residual chlorine were measured on-site. In order to isolate and detect the fungal agents, special filters and culture Sabouraud's dextrose agar, chloramphenicol, and mycosel agar media were applied. Furthermore, non-nutrient agar medium enriched with Escherichia coli was used to detect and to separate the eggs of the worms, cysts, and parasitic protozoa from centrifuges of samples. In order to investigate their sediment, optical microscope and culture media were used. RESULTS: We found that 456 (79.1%) samples were positive regarding the fungal elements, and 516 fungal species were isolated. The most common isolates were saprophytic species (8.74%), yeast species (25%), and dermatophyte species (2.5%). The most contaminated surfaces were foot-washing sinks and showers. In this study, Acanthamoeba parasites were isolated from one pool only. All the investigated physicochemical parameters of pool water except for the temperature were found to be in the standard range. CONCLUSIONS: Existence of saprophytic fungi and yeast in pools' water is plausible to be considered as an indicator of water resistance to the detergent agents. This high degree of contamination is due to the huge number of visitors, the complexity of construction, the choice of materials, and the long opening hours. Isolation of dermatophytes and Acanthamoeba parasite from the pools' area and foot-washing sink reveals the important role of the public swimming pools in disease transmission.

Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus isolates from livestock based on mitochondrial cox1 gene, in the Markazi province, Iran.

Hydatidosisis a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus with different genotypes, and major complications in vital organs such as liver, lungs and, brain. Also, this parasite can infect animals and cause economic damages. Recently, some investigations indicated that the genetic variation of the parasite affects the antigenic, immunogenic and pathogenic features. Therefore, present study conducted to genotyping of the E. granulosus larva based on mitochondrial cox1 gene in livestock in the endemic areas of Markazi province, Iran. In this study, 49 hydatid cysts samples collected from 36 sheep, 11 goats and 2 cattle from different slaughterhouses of Markazi province in central part of Iran, 2017. The mitochondrial cox1 gene was amplified and genotyping were accomplished using sequence analysis. The sequencing analysis indicated that the main genotype G1 (61%) and G3 (37%) were identified. Also, one of the samples shows similarity with the G2 (2%) genotype. The results showed the statistically significant differences between the genotypes in different livestock (P < 0.05). This study indicated that the main genotypes of E. granulosus in Markazi province are G1 and G3 which are related to dog/sheep strain. Therefore, parasite control in dogs and sheep can reduce the risk of transmission of infection to humans.

An In Vitro Evaluation of Ozonized Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Giardia Lamblia Cysts.

BACKGROUND: Giardia lamblia is a common intestinal parasite that has been reported all over the world. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil on the cyst of G. lamblia. METHODS: The olive oil was ozonized based on international standards and confirmed by the world health organization (WHO) at various times in a generator. The ozone concentration of olive oil was adjusted at 32, 64, 96, 128, 160 mg/g based on ozone absorption. Giardia lamblia cysts were isolated from heavily infected stool samples and the sucrose gradient flotation technique. Five groups of triple tubes containing Giardia cysts were exposed to olive oil with 32, 64, 96, 128, 160 ozone concentrations, and the sixth and seventh groups were exposed to non-ozonized olive oil and normal saline, respectively. The tubes were placed at room temperature, and every four hours, the mortality of the Giardia cysts was assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that the first five groups' mortality rate of Giardia cysts reached 100% in 100 hours. An increasing concentration of ozone in olive oil leads to an increase in the mortality rate of Giardia cysts. The results showed a significant difference in the mean time of the mortality in all the groups (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the higher fatality effect of ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil (Ozonized Olive Oil = OZO) was proved in comparison with metronidazole in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil was a growth inhibitor of Giardia cysts, and concerning its compatibility with a biological system, it is recommended for further clinical trials.

Solitary osteochondroma of the thoracic spine with compressive myelopathy; a rare presentation.

A 19-year-old man presented with a 5-year history of back pain radiating to the lower extremities and paresthesis of the toes during the last year. Plain X-ray revealed a large cauliflower shaped exophytic mass at the level of T8, T9 and T10 vertebrae. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an abnormal bony mass arising from the posterior arch of T9 with protrusion to the spinal canal and marked cord compression. The cortex and medulla of the lesion had continuity with those of the T9 vertebra. Surgical en bloc resection was performed and the patient's symptoms resolved. The histopathologic diagnosis was osteochondroma. In patients with symptoms of myelopathy, in addition to more common etiologies, one should also be aware of rare entities such as osteochondroma.

Diagnostic role of whole body bone scintigraphy in atypical skeletal tuberculosis resembling multiple metastases: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Osseous tuberculosis can be present with unifocal or multifocal bony involvement. Although multifocal involvement of the skeletal system in areas where tuberculosis is endemic is not a rare presentation, its exact prevalence is not well known. A case of atypical skeletal tuberculosis mimicking multiple secondary metastases on radiologic and scintigraphic imaging is presented to emphasize the contribution of bone scintigraphy in the assessment of osseous tuberculosis in typical and atypical presentations. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old cachectic Asian man (Iranian) presented with a general feeling of being unwell and an acute loss of vision in his left eye accompanied by a severe headache. A Tc-99 m-methylene diphosphonate bone scan demonstrated multiple regions of intense activity in the appendicular and axial skeleton, suggesting metastatic involvement. Tumor markers (PSA, CA125, CA 19-9 and AFP) were within normal ranges. Based on clinical presentation and laboratory, radiological and scintigraphic findings, a presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis was made. Quadruple antituberculous chemotherapy was consequently started and the patient later showed marked improvement. CONCLUSION: Scintigraphic bone scanning should be kept in mind when assessing bone pain in patients at a high risk of tuberculosis infection or reactivation. We present this unusual case of multifocal skeletal tuberculosis, and stress the related clinical and diagnostic points with the aim of stimulating a high index of suspicion that could facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.