ahmad daryani

Current study was designed to provide a better insight into the circulating genotypes, genetic diversity, and population structure of Echinococcus spp. between southeast of Iran and Pakistan.

From Jun 2020 to Dec 2020, 46 hydatid cysts were taken from human (n: 6), camel (n: 10), goat (n: 10), cattle (n: 10) and sheep (n: 10) in various cities of Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran, located at the neighborhood of Pakistan. DNA samples were extracted, amplified, and subjected to sequence analysis of cox1 and nad1 genes.

The phylogeny inferred by the Maximum Likelihood algorithm indicated that G1 genotype (n: 19), G3 genotype (n: 14) and G6 genotype (n: 13) assigned into their specific clades. The diversity indices showed a moderate (nad1: Hd: 0.485) to high haplotype diversity (cox1: Hd: 0.867) of E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3) and low nucleotide diversity. The negative value of Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs test displayed deviation from neutrality indicating a recent population expansion. A parsimonious network of the haplotypes of cox1 displayed star-like features in the overall population containing IR9/PAK1/G1, IR2/PAK2/G3 and IR18/G6 as the most common haplotypes. A pairwise fixation index (Fst) indicated that E. granulosus s.s. populations are genetically moderate differentiated between southeast of Iran and Pakistan. The extension of haplotypes PAK18/G1 (sheep) and PAK26/G1 (cattle) toward Iranian haplogroup revealed that there is dawn of Echinococcus flow due to a transfer of alleles between mentioned populations through transport of livestock or their domestication.

The current findings strengthen our knowledge concerning the evolutionary paradigms of E. granulosus in southeastern borders of Iran and is effective in controlling of hydatidosis.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the cause of toxoplasmosis, an infection with worldwide distribution. Considering the burden of congenital toxoplasmosis, opportunistic toxoplasmosis infection in immunocompromised patients, and the increasing of these patients, regarding the variety of weather conditions and social factors in Iran, evaluation and improvement of the methods of controlling and preventing toxoplasmosis is necessary in the country. The lack of a mandatory national program for the control and prevention of toxoplasmosis, the failure to implement a regular screening program during pregnancy, the lack of a national network for registering positive cases of congenital toxoplasmosis, and the need to improve the quality of educational programs are among the most important challenges in the future. In this regard, the researchers of the Toxoplasmosis Research Center have introduced and proposed new programs for the control and prevention of toxoplasmosis in Iran and presented solutions to the mentioned challenges to be given to the policymakers for the Ministry of Health and the universities of medical sciences in the current policy summary report. To develop a control and prevention program for toxoplasmosis in Iran, the following goals should be considered: prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis, regular screening during pregnancy and follow-up of seronegative cases, secondary prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis based on screening and treatment before the birth of the baby, follow-up of treatment in IgG and IgM positive infants to prevent ocular toxoplasmosis in the future, health education for women in reproductive age, examination of knowledge and awareness of pregnant women about toxoplasma and its transmission routes, prevention of toxoplasmosis in other patients, the establishment of a reference laboratory for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, prevention of infection in animals and disinfection in meat, reduction of environmental pollution and public education

We aimed to design a B and T cell recombinant protein vaccine of Toxoplasma gondii with in silico approach. MIC13 plays an important role in spreading the parasite in the host body. GRA1 causes the persistence of the parasite in the parasitophorous vacuole. SAG1 plays a role in host-cell adhesion and cell invasion.

Amino acid positions 73-272 from MIC13, 71-190 from GRA1, and 101-300 from SAG1 were selected and joined with linker A(EAAAK)A. The structures, antigenicity, allergenicity, physicochemical properties, as well as codon optimization and mRNA structure of this recombinant protein called MGS1, were predicted using bioinformatics servers. The designed structure was synthesized and then cloned in pET28a (+) plasmid and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21.

The number of amino acids in this antigen was 555, and its antigenicity was estimated to be 0.6340. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting confirmed gene expression and successful production of the protein with a molecular weight of 59.56kDa. This protein will be used in our future studies as an anti-Toxoplasma vaccine candidate in animal models

In silico methods are efficient for understanding information about proteins, selecting immunogenic epitopes, and finally producing recombinant proteins, as well as reducing the time and cost of vaccine design.

Identification of the larval stages of Echinostoma spp. in freshwater snails is an essential guide to continue monitoring the possibility of their transmission and the potential of echinostomiasis in areas where trematodes are the primary agent of parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was investigate Echinostoma using morphological and molecular techniques.

The study was conducted in Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces, northern Iran, from April 2019 to October 2021. Overall, 5300 freshwater snails were randomly collected and were identified using external shell morphology. Meanwhile, snails infected with trematodes were studied via shedding and dissecting methods. Larvae stages of Echinostoma were identified and the genomic DNA of the samples was extracted. The PCR amplification of the ITSI gene was carried out for 17 isolates and products were sequenced. Seven sequences were deposited in GenBank.

Totally, 3.5% of snails containing three species (Stagnicola sp., Radix sp. and Planorbis sp.) were infected with two types of cercaria, E. revolutum with 37 and Echinostoma sp. with 45 spines in the collar. Moreover, 35% of the snails were infected with Echinostoma spp. metacercaria. Phylogenetic analysis illustrated that isolates were included in two ITSI haplogroups.

Results showed the potential hazard of a zoonotic parasite as Echinostoma in northern Iran. The potential of disease environmental relationship investigation and resource control optimization is necessary for effective disease prevention and health management.

The genus Gongylonema infects the upper digestive tract of birds, mammals, and humans. Livestock parasites, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, have caused irreparable damage, including death, reduced products, and economic losses. The present study aimed to reveal the prevalence and morphological and morphometric study of Gongylonema spp. isolated from the esophagus of slaughtered sheep in Sari, northern Iran.

Esophagi of 340 sheep were collected from Sari's industrial slaughterhouse during the summer and autumn of 2021 (summer=115, autumn= 225). After longitudinal cutting, the surfaces of the esophageal mucosa were carefully checked under the light. The prevalence of infection was estimated, and the morphometric and morphological characteristics of the isolated worms were investigated using a calibrated light microscope and camera lucida.

The prevalence of infection was 7.6% (26 isolates), which was estimated for summer and autumn 12 out of 115 (10.4%) and 14 out of 225 (6.2%), respectively. A comparison of morphological features of nematodes in this study with Gongylonema morphological criteria showed that all of them were Gongylonema pulchrum.

In the present study, a moderate gongylonemiasis infection was estimated in the sheep from Sari's industrial slaughterhouse. Morphological examination of the retrieved worms showed characteristic morphologies of Gongylonema pulchrum. To clarify the status of the infection, several morphological and molecular studies should be performed on different types of intermediate and final hosts of the parasite in different parts of the country.

Trichostrongylus is an intestinal parasite that is highly prevalent in humans and livestock worldwide. There is limited information about the prevalence and epidemiology of Trichostrongylus species among the infected livestock in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. This study aimed to identify Trichostrongylus spp. among small ruminants using morphometric and molecular methods.

Small intestinal organs of sheep and goats, slaughtered in Mazandaran Province, were examined for infectivity with Trichostrongylus parasites. Primary species identification was conducted based on the morphological characterization of the male worms. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) II regions of the ribosomal DNA of the worm tissues were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and then the product was subjected to sequencing. Subsequently, the PCR products of the ITS II region were subjected to digestion by HinfI and DraI restriction enzymes using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

Of 180 samples, 98 (54.44%) were confirmed positive for Trichostrongylus based on the conventional PCR. The digestion of the PCR products with HinfI and DraI facilitated the identification of three Trichostrongylus species, namely Trichostrongylus colubriformis (35%, 90.81%), Trichostrongylus axei (4%, 4.08%), and Trichostrongylus vitrinus (5%, 5.1%). Both morphometric and RFLP techniques resulted in the differentiation of the three Trichostrongylus species.

The present study was the 1st attempt in the last 30 years for the identification of Trichostrongylus species in small ruminants in Mazandaran Province. The findings of this study can be helpful for epidemiological and ecological studies, the establishment of effective control programs, and the management of gastrointestinal parasites in Mazandaran Province.

Hydatidosis is known as one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases across the world. This complication is also endemic in Iran, followed by a higher risk of infection in rural areas. To our knowledge, there has been no study on the seroprevalence of hydatidosis in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeast of Iran. The main objective of the current study was to examine the seroprevalence of hydatidosis and its risk factors in high-risk individuals (farmers and ranchers) living in Sistan and Baluchistan Province.

This study included 500 serum samples, and the participants were requested to complete a researcher-made questionnaire. Subsequently, counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CCIEP) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were employed to analyze the anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibody. The analysis of the obtained data was conducted by logistic regression in SPSS software, version 22.

According to the results, four (0.8%) cases were found positive for anti-E. granulosus antibody by both CCIEP and ELISA tests. Seroprevalence of hydatidosis was more in rural people, compared to those in urban areas. It was also higher in illiterate people than in educated people. Nevertheless, seropositivity showed no significant differences with age, gender, occupational status, education level, place of residence, and contact with dogs (P>0.05).

The prevalence rate of hydatidosis in Sistan and Baluchistan Province was similar to that in neighboring provinces. According to the findings, high-risk individuals offer remarkable information about the epidemiology of hydatidosis in Sistan and Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran. This could help to manage and prevent this infection.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases worldwide with a high impact on human and animal health. Body fluids such as milk are used to diagnose many parasitic diseases, including toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of milk as a non-invasive and alternative sample for serum in the diagnosis of animal toxoplasmosis.

Five English-language databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science) were explored for published articles before Dec 2020.

In total, 42 out of 2256 published articles were included in this systematic review. In 21 articles, serum and milk samples were evaluated simultaneously with serological or molecular tests, and the results were compared. The results of descriptive studies and a review of nine experimental studies showed that milk could be used as a non-invasive and alternative sample for the serum in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Due to the relatively high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in milk, consumption of raw milk from infected animals can be a potential source of human infection and a significant threat to public health. On the other hand, due to the ease and cheapness of collecting milk samples, the use of milk is recommended for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of increasing concern to humans and animals. Considering the side effects of drugs used to treat toxoplasmosis, it is essential to find alternative drugs.

In this study, colchicine and propranolol at four concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 15 µg/mL) were added to the RPMI medium containing peritoneal macrophages and incubated for 60 min, Then tachyzoites were added to the medium, and the efficacy rates of colchicine and propranolol in inhibiting tachyzoites entry into macrophages were evaluated after 30 and 60 min. For in vivo assay, one group received no drugs, and the second group was treated with colchicine and propranolol at different concentrations for different durations.

The in vitro experiment showed that treatment with 15 mg/mL of colchicine and propranolol for 60 min following tachyzoites addition was the most efficient method to inhibit tachyzoites penetration, indicating the efficacy rates of 80.20%±1.20 and 89.97%±1.30, respectively (p< .05). Based on the in vivo test, pretreatment with 2 mg/kg of colchicine one hour before tachyzoites injection had the best inhibitory effect (70.32%±4.07). Also, pretreatment with 2 mg/kg of propranolol 90 min before tachyzoites injection (78.54%±1.99) induced the best inhibitory effect (p< .05).

According to the results, colchicine and propranolol could inhibit tachyzoites entrance into nucleated cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the most efficient concentrations and times for using these substances were determined.

Identification of freshwater snails and possible trematodes transmission sites are essential to continue monitoring the potential for disease outbreaks in areas with a history of parasitic infections. We aimed to search some areas in the margin of the Caspian Sea, northern Iran to identify the snail fauna of this area and verify the contamination of vector snails.

More than 5,308 snails from 51 diverse and permanent habitats were studied from April 2019 to October 2021. Snails were collected randomly and identified using shell morphology. Trematode infection in snails was investigated by the release of cercariae and dissection methods.

Five families of freshwater snails including Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Planorbidae, Bithyniidae, and Viviparidae were investigated in the Caspian Sae Litoral of Iran. Physidae were found as the most prevalent snails (55.1%) followed by Lymnaeidae (29.4%). The parasitize rate was observed as 20% using releasing cercaria technique. Echinostomatoidea (31%), Schistosomatoidea (8%), and Diplostomoidea (21%), and Plagiorchioidea (40%) were seen as detected parasites. Meanwhile, 60% of the studied snails illustrated the other stages of trematodes.

The rate of infection of snails with different cercaria in northern Iran is significant. It needs further deep studies to clarify the situation of zoonoses transmitted by snails in the region. Policy makers should pay attention more to this area in terms of monitoring the snail-transmitted diseases.

In this review, we intend to provide a summary of the activities of researchers in the field of Toxoplasma gondii in Iran, during the past 70 years. Most studies have been limited to epidemiological studies (mostly using ELISA and IFA methods). Designing a standard and reliable method using the specific antigens of this parasite is essential. So far, studies in the field of drug effects have not been able to introduce an effective drug with few side effects. Various types of vaccines have been developed, such as recombinant and DNA vaccines. However, none of them had a good efficacy. The use of multi-epitope vaccines as potential vaccines against toxoplasmosis is recommended. At present, limited studies have been conducted on the patterns of transmission and genetic diversity of isolated isolates in Iran. Future research to determine the genotype of T. gondii could play an important role in the study of population structure, and biological characteristics of this parasite. It is hoped that the results of this study will help control, prevent, and reduce the burden of disease caused by this parasite.

Hydatidosis is a neglected cyclo-zoonotic disease in Middle East countries particularly southeast of Iran which is caused by metacestode of tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Human hydatidosis is a high public health priority in the area, however there is little known from a phylogenetic perspective on molecular epidemiology of adult Echinococcus spp. in Iranian shepherd dogs.

50 shepherd dogs were investigated for adult worm of E. granulosus from May 2020 to April 2021 in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeastern border region of Iran. DNA samples were extracted, amplified, and subjected to sequence analysis of mitochondrial genes (cox1 and nad1).

Out of 50 shepherd dogs, 11 (22%) cases were infected with genus E. granulosus. Regarding demographic factors, the frequency of parasitism in both male, female adults and their age groups showed no difference (P > 0.05). The phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and nad1 sequences firmly revealed sheep strains (G1) in all isolates. Based on sequence analyses, a low (cox1, Hd: 0.200; Hn: 2) to moderate (nad1, Hd: 0.533; Hn: 4) genetic (haplotype) diversity of E. granulosus G1 genotype and a low nucleotide diversity (π: 0.00052-0.00243) were observed.

first presence of sheep strain (G1) in the final host of this region seems to indicate that potential intermediate hosts play a secondary role in the maintenance of sheep-dog biology. Current findings have heightened our knowledge about determination of E. granulosus prevalence, strains of taxonomy and genotypic trait of parasite in Iranian shepherd dogs which will also help in the development of strategies for monitoring and control of infected stray dogs in the area.

Giardia and Blastocystis are common parasites of humans with a wide range of hosts. The aim of this study was to identify the genotypes of Giardia intestinalis and Blastocystis hominis in individuals attending Bavi health centers in Khuzestan province, Iran.

In this study, 30 positive stool samples of Giardia and Blastocystis were collected from individuals attending Bavi health centers in 2019-2020. Then DNA extraction was performed on fecal samples. PCR was performed using GDH gene for Giardia and 18S rRNA region for Blastocystis and PCR products were drawn to determine sequence type and phylogenetic tree.

Sequence analysis was performed on PCR products from Giardia based on amplification of GDH gene. Based on the results of DNA sequence, all identified samples belonged to assemblage BIV. Sequence analysis was performed on PCR products from Blastocystis according to amplification of 18S rRNA gene and all identified samples belonged to ST3 subtype.

The study showed that the predominant genotype of Giardia in Bavi was BIV which indicates a zoonotic cycle in this region. In addition, the predominant subtype of blastocystis was previously reported in this region (ST3) often seen in human-to-human transmission cycle, although there have been reports of animal-to-human cycle. Therefore, alongside health measures to control these two parasites in this area, molecular epidemiology studies in local animals is necessary to determine the zoonotic transmission of Giardia and Blastocystis parasites in this region.

Camel breeding is common in East of Iran due to its semi-arid climate and desert conditions. It transmits some diseases to other ruminants and humans due to carrying common blood parasites between humans and animals. This work aimed at studying the presence of Trypanosoma and Piroplasmida (Babesia and Theileria) species in camels in South Khorasan province using parasitological and molecular methods.

In this study, blood samples were taken from 200 camels in South Khorasan that were randomly selected in 2020. Then, thick and thin smear were prepared from the samples and stained with Giemsa staining technique and examined under a light microscope. For molecular detection of Trypanosoma, Theileria and Babesia, specific primers of each genus were used.

Microscopic examination showed that out of 200 blood samples, 8 samples (4%) were infected with Trypanosoma and no samples were infected with Theileria and Babesia. According to molecular experiments, six samples (3%) had DNA of Trypanosoma evansi and five samples (2.5%) were found with Trypanosoma brucei DNA. But the DNA of Theileria and Babesia were not observed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sample isolated in the present study had a high genetic affinity with genotype A of Trypanosoma evansi.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the prevalence of Surra in South Khorasan province. The presence of Trypanosoma in the blood of camels in this region signifies the need for a careful monitoring system and evaluation studies as a prerequisite for controlling blood parasitic diseases in camels in South Khorasan.

We aimed to identify Neospora caninum DNA in the brain samples of aborted fetuses of cattle, goats, and sheep in Mazandaran, northern Iran, using PCR.

In total, 133 aborted fetuses (51 sheep, 78 cattle, and 4 goats) were randomly collected from different stages of gestation in various regions of Mazandaran, Iran, from Mar 2016 to May 2017. The DNA was extracted from all the brain samples using phenol chloroform isoamyl alcohol instructions. The Nc-5 gene was used for the detection of N. caninum DNA by nested-PCR assay.

The detection of N. caninum DNA was confirmed by the observation of a 227 bp band in 24 samples of 133 aborted fetuses (18.1%). The highest prevalence rate of N. caninum was detected in the cattle (20.5%) followed by the sheep (15.6%); however, no positive cases were reported in the goats. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of the infection were reported as 23.8% and 8.6% in Qaemshahr, and Behshahr, respectively. The prevalence rate of infection (32%) in the early gestational period was higher than those in the middle (15%) and late (3.8%) gestational periods.

The obtained data of the present study indicated that N. caninum infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic loss in livestock farming in Mazandaran Province.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded species. This study aimed to obtain further information on the role of T. gondii infection in ruminant abortion (sheep, goats and cattle) using bioassay and PCR methods in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.

Overall, 104 aborted fetuses (52 bovine, 48 ovine, 4 caprine) were collected at different stages of gestation during the lambing seasons in various parts of Mazandaran Province from Mar 2016 to May 2017. Brains of 104 aborted fetuses were bioassayed in female BALB/c mice. DNA was extracted from all brain samples using phenol-chloroform-isoamyl Alcohol instructions. RE gene was used for detection all of T. gondii DNA by conventional PCR assay.

The results of the bioassayed samples were negative because no tachyzoites or cyst were observed in the peritoneal and brain specimens of the mice. The detection of T. gondii DNA was confirmed by observation of a 529 bp band in 15 out of 104 fetuses (14.4%). The highest prevalence rate of T. gondii detected from sheep (16.6%) followed by cattle (13.4%) and goats (0%). The highest prevalence of the infection was observed in east area, while the lowest prevalence of the infection was observed in west area.

T. gondii infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic losses in livestock husbandry in this region. Therefore, further additional researches such as genotyping T. gondii and designing control strategies for improving management in livestock flocks are necessary.

Free-living amoeba (FLA) belonging to Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria, and Balamuthia mandrillaris are the soil-born protozoa. This study aimed to survey the occurrence of FLA, including Acanthamoeba spp., B. mandrillaris, Vermamoeba spp., and Naegleria spp., in soil samples collected from various districts of Mazandaran Province (Northern Iran) from July to December 2018.

Overall, 118 soil samples from the recreational and public places were surveyed for the existence of Acanthamoeba spp., Vermamoeba, Naegleria, and B. mandrillaris using both morphological key and molecular tools with genus-specific primers of JDP1, NA, ITS1, and Bal, respectively. To verify the taxonomic status of isolated amoeba, the phylogenetic tree was made based on sequences of 18S rRNA by MEGA (5.05) software with the maximum likelihood model.

Overall, 61/118 samples (51.6%) were contaminated with FLA, and based on the sequencing data, 29 isolates were successfully sequenced. Among the samples, all isolated Acanthamoeba (52.4%) belonged to the T4 genotype with amplification of the DF3 region (18S rRNA gene). Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing revealed the presence of one strain of Naegleria americana. Twenty-eight V. vermiformis were also confirmed based on Nuclear SSU rDNA. Morphological survey and PCR assay did not show any positive samples for B. mandrillaris.

The present study indicates the occurrence of FLA in soil sources of the recreational and public places in Mazandaran province that it can be a severe risk to human health. Thus, more studies are expected to survey the infection source in patients with FLA-related diseases.

There are few treatment options available for treatment of toxoplasmosis and effective drugs have serious toxic effects. In this study, the in vivo and in vitro anti-toxoplasma activities of Heracleum persicum and Foeniculum vulgare fruits essential oils were investigated.

In vitro, Vero cells were incubated with different concentrations of essential oils or pyrimethamine (positive control) and the cellular viability was determined. Next, Vero cells were infected with T. gondii (RH strain) and treated with agents. Then, the CC50, IC50, and selectivity index (SI) were calculated. Moreover, in vivo, the effect of oils on survival times of Balb/c mice infected with T. gondii were determined.

In vitro results showed that the oils exhibited less cell toxicity than pyrimethamine. The selective index was 2.94, 6.96, and 3.06 for Heracleum persicum, Foeniculum vulgare, and pyrimethamine, respectively. Also, the infected mice treated with F. vulgare-pyrimethamine showed a better survival rate than others (P<0.05).

The H. persicum and F. vulgare essential oils showed anti-toxoplasmic activity in vitro and in vivo, but, combination therapy with F. vulgare and pyrimethamine showed a better survival time in mice infected with T. gondii. Therefore, F. vulgare may be a useful candidate in treatment of Toxoplasmosis. However, further studies are needed to investigate the fractions of this plant against T. gondii.

Cryptosporidium spp. is a major cause of gastrointestinal illness in humans. There are no data available on geospatial distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the spatial patterns and demographic factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the Mazandaran Province, North of Iran.

Fecal specimens were collected from diarrheic individuals (n=215) who were referred to health centers in the Mazandaran Province during 2014-2015. The specimens were examined for presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining.

  Cities of Sari, Neka, Noshahr and Behshahr were identified as disease hotspots. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in subjects under 10 years of age as well as those living in low-altitude areas and rural areas without access to standard water sources.

Our findings and the GIS-derived data could be used to facilitate cryptosporidiosis surveillance and monitoring of Cryptosporidium spp. distribution in the study area.

Human Echinococcosisis a cyclo-zoonotic infection caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex. The detection of mitochondrial genome data of genus Echinococcus can reflect the taxonomic status, genetic diversity, and population structure genetics.

Totally, 52 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients with histologically confirmed CE were collected from Mazandaran province, Iran in the period of Mar 1995 to May 2018. All extracted DNAs from (FFPE) tissue samples were subjected to amplify by polymerase chain reactions method targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. All PCR amplicons were sequenced to phylogenetic analysis and genetic diversity.

Molecular analysis showed that 50(96.1%) and 2 (3.84%) isolates were identified as G1 andG3 E. granulosus genotypes, respectively. DNA sequence analyses indicated a high gene diversity for G1 (Haplotype diversity: 0.830) and G3 genotypes (Hd: 1.00). Based on multiple sequence alignment analyses, 7 (13.46%; G1 genotype) and 2 (3.84%; G3 genotype) new haplotypes were unequivocally identified.

G3 genotype (Buffalo strain) was identified from two human hydatidosis isolates in the region. Present study strengthens our knowledge about taxonomic status, transmission patterns of Echinococcus parasite to human and heterogeneity aspects of this parasite in clinical CE isolates of Northern Iran.

Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is estimated that around 3.5 billion people are infected with intestinal parasites. Human intestinal parasites (HIP) are clinically important due to broad epidemiological distribution, reinfection and drug resistance. In the last decades, bioactive compounds from herbs were used against a wide variety of microorganisms including parasites. We aimed to perform a systematic review on studies on the effects of medicinal herbs on HIPs in Iran.

Relevant scientific publications until April, 2015 were extracted from five English databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Science Direct and Scopus) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex and the Scientific Information Database).

A total of 18 papers and two dissertations met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 22 different plant extracts were used against Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium and Hymenolepis nana. Based on the results, the extracts could exert time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effects against the tested HIPs. Five plants types including Allium, Chenopodium botrys, Carum copticum, F. asafoetida and Artemisia annua were able to completely inhibit the tested parasites, while Thymus vulgaris and A. paradoxum showed the lowest inhibitory effect (7%).

Given the findings, it is recommended to conduct in vivo studies on medicinal herbs with favorable in vitro effects against HIPs.

Soil is one of the environmental sources of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The other hand, genotype of the parasite is one of the important factors for its pathogenicity. Due to the importance of toxoplasmosis on public health, this study aimed to isolation and genotyping of T. gondii in environmental soil samples of Mazandaran Province, north of Iran.

Overall, 192 soil samples were collected from different areas in Mazandaran Province from Apr to Sep 2014. The flotation method was used for recovering oocysts. Then, soil samples were investigated for DNA detection of T. gondii using nested PCR of RE gene, genotyping with Semi-nested PCR of GRA6 gene and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results were analyzed using Chi-squared test. A significant difference was considered with a P<0.05.

From 192 soil samples, T. gondii DNA was detected in 150 samples (78.1%). Then genotype of 23 samples was determined (91.3% type I and 8.7% type II).

Prevalence of T. gondii in soil samples of Mazandaran province, north of Iran is high and T. gondii GRA6 type I is predominant. Soil can be the most important source of severe toxoplasmosis in this province.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. The conventional anti-Toxoplasma treatments cause significant toxicity. Brassicaceae family contains several medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, insecticide, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. In this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of some Brassicaceae species was investigated against T. gondii in vitro.

Seeds of Alyssum homolocarpum, Lepidium perfoliatum, Lepidium sativum, and aerial parts of Nasturtium officinale and Capsella bursa-pastoris were extracted by maceration method using 80% ethanol. Vero cells were treated with different concentrations (5–600 μg/mL) of the extracts and pyrimethamine (as positive control), and the cellular viability was verified. Next, Vero cells were infected by T. gondii tachyzoites (RH strain), and the viability of the infected cells was measured by a colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

The 50% inhibitory concentration values were 5.1, 14.67, 32.49, 37.31, 71.35, and 2.63 μg/mL, and the selectivity indices were 8.06, 2.59, 0.74, 0.78, 0.65 (P < 0.05 compared with positive control), and 3.03 for L. sativum, L. perfoliatum, N. officinale, A. homolocarpum, C. bursa-pastoris, and pyrimethamine, respectively.

The results of this study demonstrated that the hydroalcoholic extracts of L. sativum and L. perfoliatum have the promising anti-Toxoplasma activity by growth inhibition of T. gondii tachyzoites in infected cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current knowledge on the epidemiology of importance zoonotic parasitic diseases in free-ranging canids of Mazandaran, north of Iran.

Overall, 63 small intestinal samples of animals (20 stray dogs and 43 golden jackals) were collected from April 2017 to May 2018. The intestine contents were studied to detect and identify helminth infections. Additionally, 274 fecal samples (130 dogs, 35 fox, 90 golden jackal and 19 wolf) were examined by Sheather's flotation method for detection of Taenia eggs.

Sixty (95.2%) animals were infected with at least one species of intestinal helminth. the intestinal helminths were found in dogs and golden jackals included: Dipylidium caninum (25.3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (52.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (41.2%), Mesocestoides spp. (33.3%) and Toxocara canis (14.2%). In fecal examination, 2.5% of samples contained Taenia eggs, and through a species-specific PCR, 1.09% of these samples were confirmed positive for Echinococcus granulosus.

There is a high prevalence and clear risks of zoonotic helminths in free-ranging carnivores in Mazandaran province, north of Iran. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology of zoonotic parasite infection is useful for health care access both domestic animals and humans health.

The larval stage of the tapeworm (cestode) Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis, which is the zoonotic parasitic disease causing morbidity and mortality in both humans and livestock. Due to a lack of accurate data on the human isolates of E. granulosus in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, the current study aimed to survey the population genetic pattern of cystic echinococcosis isolated from humans by sequencing the mitochondrial genes of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). Overall, 47 formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPT) blocks were collected from patients' files in various pathology departments of Mazandaran Province in Iran from 2003 to 2015. PCR was performed to amplify a 398bp DNA fragment of mitochondrial nad1. PCR products were sequenced by Bioneer Corporation (South Korea), and the resulting data were analyzed via relevant software to determine the genotypes. The nad1 gene was successfully amplified on 10 from all of the E. granulosus isolates. Overall, 66.6% and 33.3% of the isolates in the studied area displayed the G1 and G2-G3 genotypes, respectively. This study may provide the foundation for further studies in revealing the regional transmission patterns and also in designing adequate control procedures.