The first evaluation of the in vitro effects of silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes on Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Leishmania major promastigotes.

Encephalitozoon intestinalis is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing organ transplantation. Leishmaniasis is responsible for parasitic infections, particularly in developing countries. The disease has not been effectively controlled due to the lack of an effective vaccine and affordable treatment options. Current treatment options for E. intestinalis infection and leishmaniasis are limited and often associated with adverse side effects. There is no previous study in the literature on the antimicrosporidial activities of Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds. In this study, the in vitro antimicrosporidial activities of previously synthesized Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were evaluated using E. intestinalis spores cultured in human renal epithelial cell lines (HEK-293). Inhibition of microsporidian replication was determined by spore counting. In addition, the effects of the compounds on Leishmania major promastigotes were assessed by measuring metabolic activity or cell viability using a tetrazolium reaction. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences between treated and control groups. Our results showed that the growth of E. intestinalis and L. major promastigotes was inhibited by the tested compounds in a concentration-dependent manner. A significant decrease in parasite viability was observed at the highest concentrations. These results suggest that the compounds have potential anti-microsporidial and anti-leishmanial activity. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to evaluate the efficacy of the compounds in animal models or clinical trials.

Are Thermotolerant and Osmotolerant Characteristics of Acanthamoeba Species an Indicator of Pathogenicity?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba strains with T4, T5, T11, and T12 genotypes by comparing the osmotolerance and thermotolerance characteristics of Acanthamoeba strains isolated from genotype groups, within species with the same genotype, and from environmental and keratitis cases. Methods: In this study, after axenic cultures of 22 Acanthamoeba strains with T4 (Neff, A, B, D, E), T5, T11, and T12 genotypes isolated from clinical and environmental samples, thermotolerance (37 °C, 39 °C and 41 °C) and osmotolerance (0.5 M, 1 M) tests were performed. Results: All strains showed growth ability at 37 °C and 0.5 M osmolarity. While all five strains isolated from patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis showed growth ability at 37 °C and 0.5 M osmolarity, no growth was detected at 41 °C and 1 M osmolarity. When the tolerance characteristics of the strains with the same genotype were evaluated, the strains with the T5 and T4E genotypes showed the same characteristics. When Acanthamoeba strains with the T4 genotype were evaluated in general, 31.25% of the strains were found to grow at 39 °C and 6.25% at 41 °C. Of the T4Neff strains, only one strain did not show the ability to reproduce at 39 °C and showed a different feature from the other strains. While the strain with the T11 genotype grew at all temperatures, the strain with the T12 genotype did not grow at 41 °C. Conclusion: According to our research results, we believe that tolerance to 39 °C and 1 M mannitol is not an indicator of pathogenicity. More studies with Acanthamoeba strains are required to clarify this issue.

[Investigation of the Risk Factors Affecting Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity in Women of Reproductive Age Applying to the Maternity Clinic of Kilis State Hospital]. / Kilis Devlet Hastanesi Kadin Dogum Poliklinigine Basvuran Dogurgan Çagdaki Kadinlarda Toxoplasma gondii Seropozitifligine Etki Eden Risk Faktörlerinin Arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to detect the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Kilis province, determine the risk factors for toxoplasmosis, and assess the effect of risk factors on seropositivity. METHODS: The research performed in Kilis State Hospital was a cross-sectional study in which Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used. The study included women between the ages of 15 and 49 years. The number of samples was 322. Female patients participating had to fill a questionnaire form of 27 questions in total, and blood samples were taken. Survey and laboratory results were uploaded to SPSS 15 program and assessed. RESULTS: As results of the study, the seropositivity of anti-Toxoplasma gondii (anti-T. gondii) Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies was determined to be 63.4% and that of anti-T. gondii Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies was determined to be 4.0%. It was found that the seropositivity of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies was significantly dependent on age groups, educational status, number of live births, and habits of raw or undercooked meat consumption. It was found that the IgM seroprevalence in 210 pregnant women was 3.8%, and the IgG seroprevalence was positive at 59.5%; no statistical significance could be determined in both. CONCLUSION: It was determined that age distribution, income and educational levels, and eating habits of people living in the research region affect toxoplasmosis.