Diagnosis of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Study Using CL Detect™ Dipstick, Direct Smear and Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods.

INTRODUCTION: In most of the endemic areas, the detection of CL is based on searching for amastigotes using the direct smear method. Since expert microscopists are not usually available in every laboratory, false diagnoses are a disaster that happens. Therefore, the aim of current research is to evaluate the validity of the CL Detect™ Rapid Test (CDRT) for diagnosis CL in comparison to direct smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with skin lesions suspected to be CL were recruited. Skin samples from the lesions were collected and used for direct microscopic examination and the PCR method. Furthermore, the skin sample was collected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the CDRT-based rapid diagnostic test. RESULTS: Of 70 samples, 51 and 35 samples were positive by direct smear examination and the CDRT, respectively. The PCR showed positive results in 59 samples; 50 and 9 samples were identified as Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 68.6% (95% CI 54.11-80.89%) and 100% (95% CI 82.35-100%). When the results of CDRT were compared to the microscopic examinations, an agreement of 77.14% was seen between the CDRT and microscopic examination. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity were 59.32% (95% CI 45.75-71.93%) and 100% (95% CI 71.5-100%) when the CDRT was compared to PCR assay (as gold standard) and an agreement (65.71%) was found between CDRT and PCR assay. CONCLUSION: As the CDRT is simple, rapid, and does not require great proficiency, it is recommended for use in the detection of CL caused by L. major or L. tropica as a diagnostic method, especially in areas with limited access to expert microscopists.

Detection of Acute and Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Women with History of Abortion in the Southwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most common intracellular protozoan parasites, which can infect humans and a wide range of mammals and birds. The current study is aimed at investigating the occurrence of T. gondii infection in women with a history of abortion in Khuzestan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 480 women with an abortion history, as well as 200 pregnant women with a normal delivery, were examined in this study. The blood, placenta, and umbilical cord blood samples were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. RESULTS: Based on the results of ELISA assay, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 30.83% in women with a history of abortion (25.62% with T. gondii IgG and 5.20% with T. gondii IgM). According to the IgG avidity test, 60.16% of IgG-positive samples showed high avidity, while 27.64% showed low avidity. On the other hand, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in women with a normal delivery was 23% (21.5% with T. gondii IgG and 1.5% with T. gondii IgM). According to the IgG avidity test, 81.39% of these women showed high avidity, while only 4.65% showed low avidity. Based on the nested-PCR method, T. gondii DNA was detected in 14.18% of blood samples, 4.69% of placental samples, and 1.34% of umbilical cord samples, collected from 148 seropositive women with a history of abortion. Besides, using this method, the parasite DNA was identified in 4.34% of blood samples, collected from 46 seropositive women with a normal delivery, but not in any of the umbilical cord or placenta samples. CONCLUSION: The present results showed that T. gondii infection contributes to abortion in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Therefore, it is essential to investigate toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, especially in those who are seronegative, using molecular and serological methods and inform them about their disease and the associated risks.

Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Potentiates Parkinson's Disease Course in Mice Model.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed, we tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD. METHODS: To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice (BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation, and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model. RESULTS: Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD group. CONCLUSION: Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing.