Microsporidian infections are increasingly recognized in humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi having a broad host range and potential for zoonotic transmission. Data on its occurrence and molecular characteristics among immunocompromised populations in Northwest Iran remain limited. We investigated microsporidian infection among 161 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kurdistan Province, Northwest Iran, using microscopic examination and nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Microsporidia were detected in 10/161 participants (6.2%) by PCR and 8/161 (4.9%) by microscopy. All PCR‐positive specimens were identified as E . bieneusi , while no Encephalitozoon spp. were detected. In a paired analysis of the same specimens, PCR and microscopy showed 97.5% agreement (Cohen ′ s kappa = 0.765), and the difference in positivity rates was not statistically significant (McNemar′s exact test, p = 0.625). One PCR‐positive amplicon was successfully sequenced and showed 98%–100% nucleotide identity with sequences reported from human, animal, and environmental sources. Phylogenetic analysis placed this sequence among sequences from different host and environmental sources, indicating genetic similarity but not establishing a zoonotic transmission pathway. No significant associations were observed between infection and the demographic variables examined. The detection of E . bieneusi in this population, together with its genetic similarity to sequences from animal and environmental sources, supports further investigation of potential shared transmission sources. However, the molecular characterization remains preliminary because only a single SSU rRNA sequence was obtained. Human, animal, and environmental sampling combined with more discriminatory genetic markers would help clarify the epidemiology and transmission of E . bieneusi in Northwest Iran.
Fleas are important vectors of numerous pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, helminths and protozoa, and their abundance on small mammals may be influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. This study investigated the associations between gastrointestinal helminth infections, selected haematological parameters and flea abundance in small mammals from three selected districts of Tanzania. Two wards and two villages within each district were purposively selected for sampling in Mbulu, Lushoto and Morogoro District Council. Small mammals were captured from households, fallow lands, crop fields, plantation forests and bush habitats and identified to species or genus level using morphological keys. Fleas, blood samples and gastrointestinal tracts were collected to determine flea infestation, gastrointestinal helminth infections, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb). Associations between gastrointestinal helminths, haematological parameters and flea abundance were assessed using generalised linear mixed models. A total of 302 rodents and shrews were captured, with Mastomys natalensis (54.4%, n = 163), Rattus rattus (13.6%, n = 41) and Crocidura spp. (10.3%, n = 31) being the most abundant hosts. Overall gastrointestinal helminth prevalence was 71.2% (95% CI: 65.7–76.2), with Trichuris spp. (33.3%, n = 100), Hymenolepis diminuta (29.1%, n = 88), Angiostrongylus spp. (19.9%, n = 60) and Hymenolepis nana (15.2%, n = 46) being the most prevalent helminths. A total of 271 fleas were collected, predominantly Ctenophthalmus spp. (31.0%, n = 84), Pulex irritans (30.3%, n = 82), Dinopsyllus lypusus (28.8%, n = 78) and Nosopsyllus incisus (4.1%, n = 11). Overall gastrointestinal helminth prevalence was significantly associated with total flea abundance ( p < 0.05), whereas PCV and Hb showed no significant associations ( p > 0.05). These findings suggest that coinfections involving gastrointestinal helminths and fleas are common in small mammals and that helminth infections may influence flea abundance. Understanding these host–parasite interactions may improve our understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics and inform surveillance strategies for zoonotic diseases in Tanzania.
Background Malaria remains a major global health problem causing morbidity and mortality. Although doxycycline is widely used as an effective malaria chemoprophylactic agent, its use is limited in certain populations (doxycycline should not be given to children under 8 years of age and pregnant women). These limitations, together with the growing challenge of antimalarial drug resistance, necessitate the exploration of adjunctive and alternative prophylactic strategies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves inhalation of 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, has demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects in various infectious diseases. Objective This study is aimed at evaluating the preventive immunomodulatory effects of doxycycline and HBOT, alone or in combination, on the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐ α (TNF‐ α ) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in a Plasmodium berghei rat model. Methods An in vivo experimental study was conducted using 24 female BALB/c mice (7–10 weeks old), randomly assigned into four groups: control group (CG), doxycycline group (DG), hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (HG), and combined doxycycline–hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (DHG). All groups were infected with P . berghei ANKA. Serum TNF‐ α and IL‐6 levels were measured and compared among the groups. Results Significant differences in TNF‐ α ( p = 0.012), IL‐6 ( p = 0.010), and parasitemia ( p = 0.001) were observed among the four groups. TNF‐ α levels were significantly lower in DG, HG, and DHG than in CG ( p = 0.037, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively), whereas no significant differences were observed among the treatment groups. IL‐6 was significantly lower in HG and DHG than in CG (both p = 0.004), whereas the difference between DG and CG was not statistically significant ( p = 0.150). All treatment groups showed significantly lower parasitemia than CG (all p = 0.001). HBOT and DHG also showed lower parasitemia than DG ( p = 0.020 and p = 0.006, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed between HG and DHG ( p = 0.952). Conclusion Both doxycycline and HBOT exert immunomodulatory effects by reducing TNF‐ α and IL‐6 levels in experimental malaria. The present findings suggest that doxycycline and HBOT may modulate systemic inflammatory responses during experimental malaria. Combination of doxycycline and HBOT shows a favorable anti‐inflammatory profile against malaria‐associated inflammation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 700,000 to 1 million people around the world contract Leishmaniasis annually. Saudi Arabia has been recorded as one of the six countries with the highest infection rate (up to 90%). In this study, novel nanomedicine formulations of sodium stibogluconate (SSG), including chitosan nanoparticles and mannose-decorated chitosan nanoparticles, were prepared for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in male mice. The in vivo pharmacokinetics of these formulations was tracked at several time points. By the end of the administered treatment period, the effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the nanoformulations of SSG (SSG CS NPs and SSG M CS NPs) maintained plasma drug concentrations approximately three times higher than those of free SSG after 72 h, indicating extended drug release and prolonged bioavailability. IgG levels were the lowest in the group treated with SSG M CS NPs, followed by those in SSG CS NPs and then the free SSG group. qPCR results also showed higher Ct values for the drug-enhanced nanoformulations (SSG CS NPs and SSG M CS NPs), indicating reduced parasitic DNA and increased treatment efficacy. These findings demonstrate that nanocarriers, especially mannose-modified nanoparticles, may be associated with the improved drug delivery properties, as supported by the in vitro release profile and pharmacokinetic results.
Introduction Intestinal parasitic infections are a global health issue. Data on protozoal infections and the utilization of count models to describe helminth intensity are limited. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and the intensity of helminth infections as well as its associated factors among primary school children in Shebedino District, Sidama, Ethiopia. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving 622 primary school children (Grade 1–2/7–10 years old) from six selected schools using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Stool samples were examined using the wet mount and Kato–Katz procedures. Logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections, and zero‐inflated negative‐binomial regression to identify factors associated with intensity of helminth infection using Stata 17. Result A total of 622 children provided stool samples for analysis, of whom 334 (53.7%) were boys. The median age was 8.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2 years). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 348 (56.0%), of whom 253 (40.7%) had a single infection. From the total parasitic infections, 311 (89.4%) were helminth, with Ascaris lumbricoides accounting for 302 (86.8%). Protozoal infections accounted for 110 (31.6%) of the total infections, with G. lamblia being the most common observed protozoa, 95 (27.3%). Males were less likely to be uninfected with A. lumbricoides than females (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.7). The intensity of A. lumbricoides infection was significantly lower among children whose mothers had attended primary or higher education (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.9). Conclusion Intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent among primary school children in the rural Sidama region. Improving preventive measures, like access to safe water, improved food hygiene practices, and sanitation routines, while addressing proper personal hygiene through health education for school children, is urgently needed. Trial Registration Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202403614331028
