Determinants of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in hotspots at the late stage of elimination in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: In certain settings, the prevalence and severity of schistosoma infection do not lessen despite repeated rounds of preventative chemotherapy; these areas are known as hotspots. This study aimed to investigate the role of human practices, besides environmental and malacological factors, in the maintenance of the Schistosoma mansoni infection transmission chain in hotspot areas in Egypt. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2019 in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. A pre-designed structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect humanitarian data. Stool samples were collected from children aged 6-15 years on three successive days and examined using the Kato-Katz technique. Simultaneously, water and snail samples were taken from watercourses surrounding houses. Snails were identified based on their shell morphology and structure and tested for cercaria shedding. Water samples were analyzed for their physicochemical and biological characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 2259 fecal samples (1113 in summer and 1146 in fall) were collected from 861 children. About 46.9% of the participants were males, and 31.8% were aged 6-10 years. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was higher during the summer than during the fall (19.1% vs 7.2%, respectively, P < 0.01). The intensity of infection (light, moderate, and heavy) during summer versus fall was (93.55 vs 89.38%, 6.45 vs 8.85%, and 0.00% vs 1.77%), respectively (P < 0.05). A higher prevalence of human infection was observed among males than females [OR = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.10-2.40, P = 0.015], children aged 11-15 years than among their counterparts aged 6-10 years (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.72-5.06, P < 0.001), and mothers with a low level of education (OR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.70-6.52, P < 0.001). The main identified risk factors were contacting the main body of water-canal for washing clothes (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.12-2.49, P = 0.015), land irrigation (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.32-4.96, P = 0.004), water collection (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.82-4.73, P < 0.001), bathing (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.21-4.31, P = 0.009), and garbage disposal (OR = 2.38, 95% CI:1.38-4.12, P < 0.001). The count of Biomphalaria alexandrina was distinct between seasons (P < 0.01) in consistent with statistically significant differences in water temperature, salinity, turbidity, the total concentration of coliforms, depth, velocity, and water level (P < 0.01). The presence of grasses and duckweeds was significantly associated with snail infection (P = 0.00 l). Significant effects of water depth, pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids on snail count were also observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of the infection is due to adoption of risky behaviors and environmental factors that enhance snail survival and infection. Schistosomiasis elimination in hotspots requires an integrated control approach that combines preventive chemotherapy with other complementary measures.

Nanoemulsions containing some plant essential oils as promising formulations against Culex pipiens (L.) larvae and their biochemical studies.

The chemical composition of cypress, lavender, lemon eucalyptus, and tea tree oils has been investigated using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These oils were tested for larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens alongside their nanoemulsions (NEs) and conventional emulsifiable concentrates (ECs). Oil-in-water (O/W) NEs preparation was based on a high-energy ultra-sonication technique. The effect of independent variables of preparation on the different outputs was studied using the response surface method to obtain the optimum preparation technique. The droplet sizes of prepared NEs were significantly different (71.67, 104.55, 211.07, and 70.67 for cypress, lavender, lemon eucalyptus, and Tea tree NEs, respectively). The zeta potentials of NEs were recorded to have a high negatively charge (-28.4, -22.2, -23.6, and - 22.3 mV for cypress, lavender, lemon eucalyptus, and tea tree NEs, respectively). The results showed that the tea tree oil has the most significant effect with LC50 = 60.02 and 57.10 mg/L after 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. In comparison, cypress oil proved the lowest toxicity with LC50 values of 202.24 and 180.70 mg/L after 24 and 48 h, respectively. However, lavender oil does not show any effect against larvae at tested concentrations. In addition, pure oil exhibited the lowest larvicidal activity. However, the EC of all tested insecticides slightly improved the toxic action against the larvae. While the NEs showed significantly high toxicity compared to the EO and EC. An in vivo assessment of acetylcholine esterase (AChE), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) revealed that the NEs exhibited higher activity than the pure oils and ECs. This work describes these oils with potential use against C. pipiens larvae as eco-friendly products.

Enhanced mosquitocidal efficacy of pyrethroid insecticides by nanometric emulsion preparation towards Culex pipiens larvae with biochemical and molecular docking studies.

BACKGROUND: The growing threat of vector-borne diseases and environmental pollution with conventional pesticides has led to the search for nanotechnology applications to prepare alternative products. METHODS: In the current study, four pyrethroid insecticides include alpha-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and permethrin were incorporated into stable nanoemulsions. The optimization of nanoemulsions is designed based on the active ingredient, solvent, surfactant, sonication time, sonication cycle, and sonication energy by factorial analysis. The nanoscale emulsions' droplet size and morphology were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The toxicity of nanoemulsions against Culex pipiens larvae was evaluated and compared with the technical and commercial formulations. The in vitro assay of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), carboxylesterase (CaE), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were also investigated. Furthermore, molecular docking was examined to assess the binding interactions between the tested pyrethroids and the target enzymes. Also, an ecotoxicological assessment of potential effects of the tested products on the freshwater alga Raphidocelis subcapitata was determined according to OECD and EPA methods. The emulsifible concentration (EC50) and NOEC (no observed effect concentration) values were estimated for each insecticide and graded according to the GHS to determine the risk profile in aquatic life. RESULTS: The mean droplet diameter and zeta potential of the prepared pyrethroid nanoemulsions were found to be in the range of 72.00-172.00 nm and - 0.539 to - 15.40 mV, respectively. All insecticides' nanoemulsions showed significantly high toxicity (1.5-2-fold) against C. pipiens larvae compared to the technical and EC. The biochemical activity data proved that all products significantly inhibited ATPase. However, GST and CaE were significantly activated. Docking results proved that the pyrethroids exhibited a higher binding affinity with CaE and GST than ATPase. The docking scores ranged from - 4.33 to - 10.01 kcal/mol. Further, the biosafety studies of the nanopesticides in comparison with the active ingredient and commercial EC were carried out against the freshwater alga R. subcapitata and the mosquitocidal concentration of nanopesticides was found to be non-toxic. CONCLUSION: The mosquitocidal efficacy of nano-pyrethroids formulated in a greener approach could become an alternative to using conventional pesticide application in an environmentally friendly manner.

Potential of hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes against Culex pipiens larvae: Toxicity, biochemical, pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking studies.

Culex pipiens is a main vector for Bancroftian filariasis, Rift Valley Fever and diseases caused by other viruses, leaving several peoples with disabilities. In recent years, plant derived compounds have received much attention as potential alternatives to synthetic chemicals due to their low toxicity to mammals and environmental persistence. Twenty-one monoterpenes from different chemical groups (hydrocarbons and oxygenated products) were evaluated against Culex pipiens larvae. In addition, in vivo biochemical studies including effects on acetylcholine esterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatases (ACP and ALP), total adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) were investigated. Furthermore, in silico studies including pharmacophore elucidation, ADMET analysis and molecular docking of these compounds were performed. Among all tested monoterpenes, hydrocarbons [p-cymene, (R)-(+)-limonene and (+)-α-pinene], acetates (cinnamyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, eugenyl acetate and terpinyl acetate), alcohols [(±)-ß-citronellol and terpineol], aldehydes [citral and (1R)-(-)-myrtenal] and ketone [(R)-(+)-pulegone] exhibited the highest larval toxicity with LC50 = 14.88, 27.97, 26.13, 2.62, 3.81, 2.74, 21.65, 1.64, 21.70, 21.76, 1.68 and 1.90 mg/L after 48 h of exposure, respectively. The compounds proved a significant inhibition of all tested enzymes except total ATPase. The biochemical and molecular docking studies proved that AChE and GABA-T were the main targets for the tested monoterpenes.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes against some foodborne pathogens through in vitro and in silico studies.

The present work describes the antimicrobial action of 25 monoterpenes (six hydrocarbons, five ketones, two aldehydes, six alcohols and six acetate analogues) against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by broth microdilution technique as a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the antifungal activity was performed by mycelia radial growth technique as the effective concentration causing 50% inhibition of the mycelial growth (EC50). The results showed that thymol and α-terpineol were the most potent against E. coli (MIC = 45 and 55 mg/L, respectively) and S. aureus (MIC = 135 and 225 mg/L, respectively). The results also showed that thymol displayed the maximum antifungal action against A. flavus with EC50 20 mg/L. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was determined using N,N-dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and the results showed that geraniol were the most potent compound (IC50 = 19 mg/L). Molecular docking studies indicated that the compounds displayed different binding interactions with the amino acid residues at the catalytic sites of N5-carboxyaminoimidazole synthetase and oxysterol binding protein Osh4 enzymes. Non-covalent interactions including van der Waals, hydrogen bonding as well as hydrophobic were observed between the compounds and the enzymes. A significant relationship was found between the docking score and the biological activity of the tested monoterpenes compared to the ceftriaxone and carbendazim as standard bactericide and fungicide, respectively. In silico ADMET properties were also performed and displayed potential for the development of promising antimicrobial agents. For these reasons, these compounds may be considered as potential ecofriendly alternatives in food preservation to delay or prevent the microbial infection and prolong the shelf life of food products.

Chemical composition of the essential oils isolated from peel of three citrus species and their mosquitocidal activity against Culex pipiens.

Three essential oils (EOs) were isolated from the peel of citrus fruits Citrus reticulata L., Citrus reticulata chinase Blanco and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Family: Rutaceae) and evaluated against Culex pipiens L.1758 (Family: Culicidae). Chemical composition indicated that the EOs were rich in essential phytochemicals including hydrocarbons, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. These constituents revealed some variability among the oils displaying interesting chemotypes limonene (35-51%), 1R-α-pinene (1.04-2.5%), γ-terpinene (0.46-5.65%) and sabinene (0.51-5.42%). The toxicity proved that C. sinensis oil had more effect than C. reticulata chinase and C. reticulata oils against larvae (LC50 = 15.35, 16.11 and 32.84 mg/L, respectively). However, C. reticulate was the most active as fumigant against adults (LC50 2.74 µL/L air). The in vivo effect on acetylcholine esterase (AChE), carboxyl esterase (CbE), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were also demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the chemical composition and mosquitocidal activity of C. reticulata chinase essential oils. Conclusively, the tested essential oils could be used as eco-friendly alternatives in mosquitoes control programme.

Preparation of Ecofriendly Formulations Containing Biologically Active Monoterpenes with Their Fumigant and Residual Toxicities against Adults of Culex pipiens.

Different mixtures of monoterpenes (ketone, alcohol, and alkene) were loaded on paper discs and wax and their knockdown activities were evaluated against Culex pipiens adults. Some individual monoterpenes were also evaluated by residual toxicity technique. Citronella oil as a reference was also loaded separately or in combination with monoterpenes on paper discs and wax. The ketone monoterpenes mixture (camphor, menthone, carvone, and fenchone) on paper discs was the most active (KT50 = 17.20 min) followed by ketone monoterpenes with citronella oil (KT50 = 20.79 min) and citronella oil alone (KT50 = 28.72 min). Wax formulations proved that the ketone and alcohol (geraniol, thymol, and menthol) monoterpenes gave the most activity as knockdown (KT50 = 31.79 and 43.39 min, resp.). Alcohol monoterpenes formulation recorded KT50 = 43.39 min. Residual activity of tested individual monoterpenes reported that the menthol was more toxic than camphor and camphene. Generally, this study suggests that the monoterpenes have the properties, which make them used as eco-friendly compounds in the control programs of Cx. pipiens adult. The use of paper discs is more applicable than wax in the adulticidal formulations.

The Antibacterial Activity of Chitosan Products Blended with Monoterpenes and Their Biofilms against Plant Pathogenic Bacteria.

This study focuses on the biological activities of eleven chitosan products with a viscosity-average molecular weight ranging from 22 to 846 kDa in combination with the most active monoterpenes (geraniol and thymol), out of 10 tested, against four plant pathogenic bacteria, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Erwinia carotovora, Corynebacterium fascians, and Pseudomonas solanacearum. The antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro by the agar dilution technique as a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) that was found to be dependent on the type of the microorganism tested. The most active product of chitosan was used for biofilm production enriched with geraniol and thymol (0.1 and 0.5%) and the films were also evaluated against the tested bacteria. The biological bioactivities summarized here may provide novel insights into the functions of chitosan and some monoterpenes and potentially allow their use for food protection from microbial attack.

Antimicrobial and inhibitory enzyme activity of N-(benzyl) and quaternary N-(benzyl) chitosan derivatives on plant pathogens.

Chemical modification of a biopolymer chitosan by introducing quaternary ammonium moieties into the polymer backbone enhances its antimicrobial activity. In the present study, a series of quaternary N-(benzyl) chitosan derivatives were synthesized and characterized by (1)H-NMR, FT-IR and UV spectroscopic techniques. The antimicrobial activity against crop-threatening bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Erwinia carotovora and fungi Botrytis cinerea, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora infestans were evaluated. The results proved that the grafting of benzyl moiety or quaternization of the derivatives onto chitosan molecule was successful in inhibiting the microbial growth. Moreover, increase water-solubility of the compounds by quaternization significantly increased the activity against bacteria and fungi. Exocellular enzymes including polygalacturonase (PGase), pectin-lyase (PLase), polyphenol oxidase (PPOase) and cellulase were also affected at 1000 mg/L. These compounds especially quaternary-based chitosan derivatives that have good inhibitory effect should be potentially used as antimicrobial agents in crop protection.