Occurrence and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from domestic animals in Central Iran

Background The species complex of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) causes cystic echinococcosis distributed worldwide. There is no genotype information from hydatid cysts in the intermediate hosts in Central Iran. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the hydatid cysts in livestock slaughtered in an abattoir in this region. Six hundred fifty-seven hydatid cysts were isolated from 97 animals, including sheep, cattle, camels, and goats slaughtered in Yazd abattoir from September 2018 to January 2020. The demographic data was collected as well as cyst location, fertility, and viability. Out of 657 samples, 164 samples were genotyped. Then, phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGAX. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 16.0 by chi-square with a significant difference of less than 0.05. Results Out of 164 samples, the G1-G3 complex genotype had the most frequency in samples, with 135 cases recognized. The G6/G7 was observed in 19 isolates and G5 was reported in nine samples. One sample was detected as Taenia hydatigena. Conclusions This study showed that G1-G3 and G6/G7 genotypes were presented in all animals, but G5 was reported only in cattle, goats, and camels. It is the first molecular identification of cystic echinococcosis in Central Iran. Hence, reporting G5 in livestock in this area should be considered due to transmission to humans.

Assessment of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles against Secondary Cystic Echinococcosis in BALB/c Mice

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a highly prevalent parasitic disease resulting from the hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus. It is also described as a zoonotic disease and considered a neglected tropical infection. Aim: This study assessed the antiparasitic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), against E. granulosus infection in BALB/c mice. Methods: The green synthesis of AgNPs was accomplished using Zizyphus spina-christi leaves. AgNPs were orally administered to BALB/c mice for acute short-term toxicity evaluation, in doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg/kg, and observations for toxic signs were carried out at 24, 48 h, and 14 days, continuously. Moreover, a total of 20 mice divided into two groups were intraperitoneally administered with 1500 viable protoscoleces for secondary hydatidosis infection. Results: The results showed that AgNPs did not induce any adverse effects or signs and no death, in either group of mice. The histopathological findings in the liver, kidneys, and intestine of the mice administered with AgNPs revealed mild histological effects compared with the control ones. The treated-infected mice showed a change in the appearance of the liver hydatid cysts from hyaline to milky cloudy compared with the untreated infected mice. Conclusion: Biosynthesized AgNPs showed anti-hydatic effects and are suggested as anti-echinococcal cyst treatment.

Effect of Some Drugs on the Viability of the Protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus (Batch, 1876) in Vitro

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a number of drugs on the viability of primary protoscolices isolated from sheep infected with the larval stage of E. granulosus. These drugs included Oxfendazole (OFZ) at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml, mixed with Praziquantel (PZQ) at a concentration of 4 mg/ml and Albendazole (ABZ) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The results showed that OFZ was the most effective in influencing the viability of the protoscolices. The percentage of killing after five minutes of treatment was 85.63% and it was 17.21%, 15.10% and 13.09% for OFZ+ABZ, OFZ+PZQ and ABZ+PZQ, respectively. After 30 minutes, the killing percentage was 99.04%, 71.63%, 40.19% and 31.09%, respectively. The percentage of killing reached 100% after 35 minutes, 40 minutes, 2 hours and 3 hours, respectively. The results confirm the use of OFZ as a lethal drug, or a viability-suppressant for protoscolices in the future, after conducting more researches to know the side effects of this drug in laboratory animals for access to the best treatment to those infected with hydatid cysts.

Determining Role of TGF-β3 in Some Treatments of Albino Mouse, Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 Infected with Hydatid Cyst by Using an Immunohistoflourescent Staining Technique

The present study was conducted as an attempt to treat secondary hydatid disease in white mice strain Balb/c by immunohistoflourescent (IHF) staining technique. For this purpose, the mice were infected with hydatid cysts and treatment was done by oxfendazole (OFZ) at a concentration of 30 mg/kg, praziquantel (PZQ) at a concentration of 40 mg/kg and albendazole (ABZ) at a concentration of 10 mg/kg of body weight. Each drug was given weekly for four months and the same concentrations as above. The results showed that the highest treatment efficiency was in case of OFZ + PZQ treated mice, while the groups treated with OFZ, OFZ + ABZ and ABZ + PZQ showed less treatment efficiency, respectively. The IHF staining technique was used to determine the cytokinesis of TGF-β3 in the spleen and liver of experimental mice. For this reason, OFZ is considered as one of the most promising chemotherapies used in the treatment of hydatid cysts.

Multiple Fat- Containing Hepatic Hydatid Cysts: A Case Report in The X- Ray Institute at Medical City Health Directorate in Iraq

Background: Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis parasite which is still endemic in many countries all over the world especially in the developing countries. The liver is the primary site to be infested by the parasite with a rate of 60 – 75%. The right lobe of the liver gets infected in about 80% of cases. Hydatid disease of the liver is usually asymptomatic and most cases discovered accidentally on routine clinical or radiological examinations for other illness. Symptoms usually appear in complicated cases either due to rupture, secondary bacterial infection, or due to the large size of the cyst which might cause pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, discomfort, and sometimes swelling. In this case report, we reported the presence of fat globules within the hepatic hydatid cysts which is most probably due to rupture of hepatic hydatid cysts into the biliary tree. Keywords: Hepatic, hydatid cyst, fat globule and CT scan

An Adrift and Homeless Cyst within the Peritoneal Cavity

Introduction. Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus species. Iran is endemic for Echinococcus granulosus. Here, we present a case of hydatidosis in an 85-year-old man, presented with acute, dull, constant, and generalized abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan (CT scan) showed an intact hydatid cyst on the bladder dome and several hydatid cysts in the liver. Open surgery revealed a cyst with hepatic origin, confirmed with histopathological studies. Conclusion. Although a primary abdominal hydatid cyst is very rare, it can be transferred to the abdominal cavity without any rupture as secondary ones. In this case, rupture of the liver wall was the reason for this transfer. As a result, there should be a suspicion of hydatidosis in a patient with a similar presentation.

A Pelvis Hydatid Cyst Disease Presenting with Perforated Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

Introduction/Objective: Hydatid parasitic infection in humans can be caused by the parasite Echinococcus. Hydatid cysts form mainly in the liver and lungs. Cysts can rarely be found in other organs. Hydatid cyst in the pelvis can be secondary to rupture of the hydatid cyst in the spleen or kidneys. Primary pelvic hydatid cysts are very rare. Complications and symptoms of hydatid cyst depend on its location. Surgery is the basis of treatment for hydatid cysts.