Background: Investigating the global epidemiological patterns of Trichinella in pigs is required for accurate recognition and to establishing proper control programmes and preventive measures, as well as to decrease human exposure. Objectives: To obtain a better understanding of the global prevalence of Trichinella in domestic pigs and factors that might influence the prevalence, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Multiple databases were used to identify literature published between January 2000 and December 2021, representing studies from 1985 to 2021, on Trichinella prevalence in domestic pigs. Prevalence was calculated on a global and country level, by country Human Development Index (HDI), climate, pig management system, and diagnostic test. Results:The global pooled prevalence based on 60 manuscripts representing 32 countries and 65 pig populations was 2.02% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-3.62) and the estimated pooled prevalence in different continents ranged from 0.00% to 11.8%.Trichinella was highest in low HDI countries (21.6%; 95% CI: 4.3-47.2), tropical wet Aida Vafae Eslahi and Meysam Olfatifar contributed equally to this study.

Introduction Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem that causes by parasite of the genus Leishmania. The pentavalent antimonial compounds that used for treatment are not safe or effective enough. The aim of the present study was preparation and evaluation of the efficacy of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against Leishmania major (L. major) in vitro. Methods To synthesis silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), ginger extract was added to the 0.2mM AgNO3 aqueous solution (1:20). Effects of different concentrations of Ag-NPs on the number of L. major promastigotes were investigated using counting assay. The MTT test was applied to determine the toxicity of Ag-NPs on promastigotes of L. major, as well as, macrophage cells. Then, to evaluate the anti-amastigotes effects of Ag-NPs, parasites within the macrophages were counted by light microscope. Furthermore, to determine the induced apoptosis and necrotic effects of Ag-NPs on promastigotes, flow cytometry method was employed using annexin staining. Results The effect of Ag-NPs on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major was effective and has a reverse relationship with its concentration. According to the results of anti-amastigote assay, the IC50 value of this nanoparticle was estimated 2.35 ppm after 72h. Also, Ag-NPs caused Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in promastigotes of L. major and showed 60.18% of apoptosis. Discussion Based on the mentioned results, it can be concluded that Ag NPs has a beneficial effect on promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major in vitro. Hence, these nanoparticles could be applied as promising antileishmanial agents for treatment of Leishmania infections.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a tropical disease that is opportunistic in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: In this research, our goal was to assess the anti-parasitic effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) based on ginger extract on T. gondii tachyzoites. Methods: This study was conducted to assess the effects of various concentrations of nanoparticles on the parasite using light microscopy. The MTT assay was also conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles based on ginger extract on macrophage cells. In addition, the potential apoptosis of T. gondii by silver NPs was assessed using the flow cytometry technique. Results: Based on the tachyzoite assay using microscopic examination, it was observed that the higher the NPs concentration and the longer the parasite’s exposure to NPs, the greater the lethal effect of NPs on tachyzoites. The IC50 (inhibitory concentration) for NPs against T. gondii tachyzoites was 2 ppm. Also, according to the MTT assay, the 40 ppm concentration of nanoparticles had the most toxic impact on macrophages. Moreover, silver NPs led to apoptosis in approximately 55.22% of tachyzoites based on the flow cytometry technique. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it is concluded that silver nanoparticles based on ginger extract have a lethal effect on T. gondii and induce apoptosis in this parasite. This study encourages further studies in vivo.

Background: Spirometra infection is aneglected food-and waterborne disease with worldwide distribution.Objectives: The present study aims to estimate the global prevalence of Spirometra species in snakes, frogs, dogs and cats. Methods: Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant literatures published up to March 2022.Results: Among 131 data sets (including 113 articles) that met the inclusion, 15 investigations reported Spirometra infection in snakes, 23 in frogs, 41 in dogs and 52 in cats.The pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) in intermediate hosts and definitive hosts was found to be 0.313% and 0.089%, respectively. Based on continent, the infection was most prevalent in Asia for studies on snakes (0.696%) and frogs (0.181%), while Africa (0.224%) and Oceania (0.203%) were the regions with the highest pooled prevalence rates of the infection in dogs and cats, respectively. Among different diagnostic methods, the highest pooled prevalence was related to morphological method for studies on snakes, frog and cats with rate of 0.665%, 0.189% and 0.104%, respectively. Regarding studies on dogs, the highest pooled prevalence was observed for molecular technique (0.101%). Conclusions:The results presented here revealed the importance of establishing a prevention and control measure focused on protection of aquaculture systems from being contaminated with faeces of dogs and cats, and raising awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases to decrease the transmission risk.

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