Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis; a cosmopolitan sexually transmitted disease. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for T. vaginalis infections. The increase in metronidazole resistant parasites and undesirable side effects of this drug makes the search for an alternative a priority for the management of trichomoniasis. Pistacia lentiscus mastic and Ocimum basilicum oil are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal effects. The present study was carried out to investigate the in vitro effects of P. lentiscus mastic and O. basilicum oil on T. vaginalis trophozoites. The effects of different concentrations of P. lentiscus mastic (15, 10 and 5 mg/ml) and different concentrations of O. basilicum oil (30, 20 and 10 lg/ml) on multiplication of trophozoites at different time points (after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h) were determined, also morphological changes were reported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that both plants caused an inhibition of growth of T. vaginalis trophozoites. The minimal lethal concentration of P. lentiscus mastic was 15 mg/ml after 24 h incubation, 10 mg/ml after 48 h and 5 mg/ml after 96 h. The minimal lethal concentration of O. basilicum oil was 30 lg/ml after 24 h incubation, 20 lg/ml after 48 h and 10 lg/ml after 96 h. TEM study of trophozoites treated by P. lentiscus mastic or by O. basilicum oil showed considerable damage of the membrane system of the trophozoites, and extensive vacuolization of the cytoplasm. These results highly suggest that P. lentiscus mastic and O. basilicum oil may be promising phytotherapeutic agents for trichomoniasis treatment.

Toxoplasma gondii (T.

Current options for treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE), including chemotherapeutics and surgical approaches, are not satisfactory in certain cases of resistant cysts in vulnerable or inaccessible organs. Therefore, potential means of therapy are needed. The present work evaluated the effect of gamma irradiation on mestacestode causing CE. Metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus were exposed to 15, 30, and 60 Gy irradiation and examined after 24 h for viability, morphologic, and ultrastuctural alterations by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis was determined by caspase-3 activity by colorimetric assay and immunohistochemistry. The irradiated metacestodes showed loss of viability, damage of protoscolices, formation of lipid droplets and vacuoles, and separation of the germinal layer. Apoptosis was prominent after irradiation. Our results suggested that gamma irradiation have therapeutic potential in CE. Moreover, understanding the destructive effect of irradiation may help in developing prophylactic measures against CE. Further studies are needed to test the efficacy of ionizing radiation in long-term animal models.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that has a major importance in public health, in addition to veterinary medicine. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine for controlling toxoplasmosis is an important goal. Excretory/secretory antigens (ESA), were previously identified as potential vaccine candidates, proved to play important roles in the pathogenesis and immune escape of the parasite. In addition, autoclaved Toxoplasma vaccine (ATV) is a special type of killed vaccine, recently characterized. The aim of the present work was, to compare between excretory/secretory and ATV against RH strain of T. gondii in mice based on; parasitological and histopathological levels. Tachyzoites were harvested from peritoneal exudates of infected mice and were used for challenge infection and vaccine preparation. BCG was used as an adjuvant. Mice were allocated equally into five groups; they were vaccinated intradermally over the sternum. The results of this study showed that the survival time after challenge, extended up to 16 days in ESA vaccinated group and up to 15 days in autoclaved Toxoplasma vaccinated group. ESA vaccinated group exhibited a profound decrease in parasite load following parasite challenge with a higher percentage of reduction in parasite count in all examined organs than the autoclaved Toxoplasma vaccinated group. The histopathological picture of the liver in both immunized groups, revealed marked reduction in the pathological changes observed as compared to controls, especially in ESA vaccinated group. It was concluded that vaccination with ESA showed more promising results versus ATV, as demonstrated by the survival rate of vaccinated mice, tachyzoites count and histopathological examination.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are self-renewing, clonal precursors of non-haematopoietic tissues, with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BM-MSCs on chronic toxoplasmosis. BM-MSCs were isolated from 6-wk-old BALB/c donor male mice, then grown and propagated in culture until cell count was 5–8x106/ml. Female Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups: Group I (infected mice injected with BM-MSCs); Group II (infected mice treated with both BM-MSCs and conventional treatment); Group III (infected mice conventionally treated with Spiramycin-Metronidazole combination); Group IV (infection control group in which mice were infected with Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii) and Group V (non-infected mice injected with BM-MSCs). Histopathological examination of brain tissue and survival rate were assessed in each group. Compared to the infection control group and conventionally treated group, the infected mice injected with BM-MSCs showed less tissue damage, mild inflammatory changes in brain sections and low mortality rate. The group treated with both MSCs and conventional treatment showed unexpected sever inflammation and the highest mortality rate.