Zahra Babaei
@kmu.ac.ir
Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman,Iran
medical faculty
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, Bioteqnology ,Giardiasis
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Mehdi Bamorovat, Iraj Sharifi, Mehdi Shafiei Bafti, Setareh Agha Kuchak Afshari, Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian, Ali Karamoozian, Abdollah Jafarzadeh, Raheleh Amirzadeh, Ahmad Khosravi, Zahra Babaei,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Introduction Emerging infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 can cause pandemics and create a critical risk for humans. In a previous pilot study, we reported that the immunological responses induced by cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) could decrease the incidence and severity of COVID-19. In this large-scale case–control study, we assessed the possible relationship between mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 in healed CL persons suffering scars compared to cases without CL history. Methods This controlled cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and December 2022 in the endemic and high-burden areas of CL in southeastern Iran. In the study, 1400 previous CL cases with scars and 1,521,329 subjects who had no previous CL were analyzed. We used R 4.0.2 to analyze the data. Firth’s bias reduction approach corresponding to the penalization of likelihood logistic regression by Jeffreys was also employed to influence the variables in the dataset. Also, a Bayesian ordinal logistic regression model was performed to explore the COVID-19 severity in both case and referent groups. Results The occurrence and severity rate of COVID-19 in CL scar cases are significantly less than in the non-CL control group, while in the CL scar subjects, patients with critical conditions and mortality were not observed. The morbidity (OR = 0.11, CI 0.06–0.20 and P < 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 in previous cases with CL scars were significantly diminished than that in the control group (credible interval − 2.57, − 1.62). Conclusions The results represented a durable negative relationship between cured CL and COVID-19 incidence and severity. Additional studies seem necessary and should be designed to further validate the true impact and underlying mechanistic action of CL on COVID-19. Graphical abstract
Ehsan Salarkia, Iraj Sharifi, Alireza Keyhani, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Ahmad Khosravi, Fatemeh Sharifi, Mehdi Bamorovat, and Zahra Babaei
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
A significant barrier to optimal antileishmanial treatment is low efficacy and the emergence of drug resistance. Multiple approaches were used to monitor and assess crocin (a central component of saffron) mixed with amphotericin B (AmpB) potential in silico and in vitro consequences. The binding behavior of crocin and iNOS was the purpose of molecular docking. The results showed that crocin coupled with AmpB demonstrated a safe combination, extremely antileishmanial, suppressed Leishmania arginase absorption, and increased parasite death. This natural flower component is a robust antioxidant, significantly promoting the expression of the Th1-connected cytokines (IL12p40, IFN-γ, and TNF- α), iNOS, and transcription factors (Elk-1, c-Fos, and STAT-1). In comparison, the expression of the Th2-associated phenotypes (IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-β) was significantly reduced. The leishmanicidal effect of this combination was also mediated through programmed cell death (PCD), as confirmed by the manifestation of phosphatidylserine and cell cycle detention at the sub-GO/G1 phase. In conclusion, crocin with AmpB synergistically exerted in vitro antileishmanial action, generated nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, modulated Th1, and Th2 phenotypes and transfer factors, enhanced PCD profile and arrested the cell cycle of Leishmania major promastigotes. The main action of crocin and AmpB involved wide-ranging mechanistic insights for conducting other clinical settings as promising drug candidates for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therefore, this combination could be esteemed as a basis for a potential bioactive component and a logical source for leishmanicidal drug development against CL in future advanced clinical settings.
Saeedeh Shamsaddini, Mitra Samareh Fekri, Mohsen Shafiepour, Hossein Kamyabi, Hossein Aghassi, Mehdi Borhani, Zahra Babaei, and Majid Fasihi Harandi
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Background: In developing countries, pulmonary infections are one of the major causes of death because the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary diseases have increased dramatically. Several species of protozoa can be found in the respiratory system. Pulmonary protozoan infections are increasingly identified in clinical settings. Protozoans within the genus Lophomonas are endo-commensals of the hindgut of arthropods. Recently the trophozoite forms of Lophomonas have been observed in human tissues. Little is known about the occurrence of these protozoa in the Iranian population. Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Lophomonas in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from the patients with respiratory diseases referred in Kerman province, southeast of Iran. Methods: A total of 200 patients were selected by simple random sampling. BAL samples were transferred to the Parasitology lab, direct smears were prepared for each specimen and two staining methods, Giemsa and Trichrome were performed for Lophomonas microscopical identification. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results: Lophomonas trophozoites were found in 48 (24%) patients, at least in one of the methods. The mean age of the patients was 58.3 years (58.1 in men, 58.4 in women). Out of 200 samples, 45 (22.5%), 30 (15%), and 11(5.5%) were positive by wet mount microscopy, Giemsa, and Trichrome staining, respectively. Conclusion: This study presented the first finding of Lophomonas infection in patients with pulmo-nary symptoms in southeast Iran.
Zahra Babaei, Ghazal Namavari, Fatemeh Khademi, Farhad Koohpeyma, Mojtaba Rashidi, S M Shafiee, Fatemeh Zal, and Atefeh Seghatoleslam
EpiSmart Science Vector Ltd
Background: The use of complementary and/or alternative medicine to increase the efficacy and decrease the side effects of current cancer treatment is highly required. In this in-vivo study, we aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activity and probable side effects of a natural treatment, Cyrtopodion scabrum extract (CsE), in a model of tumor bearing mice. Methods: We established 28 female CT26-tumor bearing balb/c-mice model. We divided them randomly into four groups (n=7): Negative control received distilled water (DW) and the three treatment groups were administered with 5-FU and two different doses (300 and 600 mg/kg) of the gecko aqueous extract, respectively. The changes in the tumor volumes and weights during and after treatment, along with the blood cell counts; spleen and thymus indices were assessed in the treatment groups. We have also measured the serum TNF-α, VEGF, AST, ALT and GSH, as well as the physical activities of the experimental mice. Results: We found that the means of tumor weights and volumes in both CsE and 5-FU treated groups were significantly lower than the untreated group (p<0.05). Serum TNF-α and VEGF levels in both CsE treated groups were remarkably lower than 5-FU and untreated groups (p<0.05). The 5-FU treatment caused a remarkably decrease in serum GSH, RBC count, WBC count, thymus index, and spleen index , while CsE treatment maintained these quantities, with no significant changes, compared to the control group. AST and ALT were not significantly changed in none of the treated groups compared to control. Conclusion: Altogether, data suggest C. scabrum, as an effective and safe anti-cancer natural source, which could be used as an alternative/complementary medicine for the treatment of patients who suffer from colon cancer.
Fatemeh Sharifi, Iraj Sharifi, Zahra Babaei, Sodabeh Alahdin, and Ali Afgar
Elsevier BV
Fahimeh Mohseni, Iraj Sharifi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Zahra Babaei, Mahshid Mostafavi, Pooya Ghasemi Nejad Almani, Alireza Keyhani, Ehsan Salarkia, Fatemeh Sharifi, Hossein Hosseini Nave,et al.
Elsevier BV
Zahra Rashno, Iraj Sharifi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Saeed Tajbakhsh, Fariba Sharififar, Fatemeh Sharifi, Abbas Hatami, Ashkan Faridi, and Zahra Babaei
Elsevier BV
Mohammadreza Aflatoonian, Iraj Sharifi, Behnaz Aflatoonian, Ehsan Salarkia, Ahmad Khosravi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Mehdi Bamorovat, Abbas Aghaei Afshar, Zahra Babaei, Fatemeh Sharifi,et al.
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Negligible data are available following major social activities and environmental changes on leishmaniasis. Therefore, how interactions between these events influence cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) risk is not well-known. This longitudinal study was undertaken to explore the impact of interventions conducted between 1971 and 2020 in Bam county, which has had the highest disease burden in Iran. Only confirmed CL cases during this period were taken into account. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using the X2 test to assess the significance of the difference between proportions. Moreover, we used interrupted time series (ITS) to assess the impact of three environmental events during this period. Overall, 40,164 cases of CL occurred in the past five decades. Multiple complex factors were among the leading causes that synergistically induced the emergence/re-emergence of CL outbreaks in Bam. The main factors attributed negatively to CL control were cessation of malaria spraying activity, expansion of the city spaces, and a massive earthquake creating new breeding potentials for the vectors. The highest impact on CL incidence during these years was related to the earthquake [coefficient = 17.8 (95% CI: 11.3, 22.7); p-value < 0.001]. Many factors can contribute to CL outbreaks in endemic foci. They also can cause new foci in new areas. Since humans are the single reservoir for CL in this area, early detection and effective management significantly contribute to controlling CL to reduce the disease burden. However, essential evidence gaps remain, and new tools are crucial before the disease can ultimately be controlled. Nevertheless, sustained funding and more trained task forces are essential to strengthen surveillance and case management and monitor the interventions’ impact.
Ali Afgar, Reza Vahidi, Mohammad Ebrahimipour, Zahra Babaei, Mohamad Javad Mirzaei-Parsa, and Mehrnaz Sadat Ravari
Elsevier BV
Alireza Keyhani, Iraj Sharifi, Ehsan Salarkia, Ahmad Khosravi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Zahra Babaei, Pooya Ghasemi Nejad Almani, Saeid Hassanzadeh, Reza Kheirandish, Mashid Mostafavi,et al.
Elsevier BV
The ongoing conventional drugs for leishmaniasis treatment are insufficient. The present study aimed to assess 6-gingerol alone and in combination with amphotericin B on Leishmania major stages using experimental and in vivo murine models. Here, arrays of experimental approaches were designed to monitor and evaluate the 6-gingerol potential therapeutic outcomes. The binding affinity of 6-gingerol and IFN-γ was the basis for docking conformations. 6-Gingerol combined with amphotericin B represented a safe mixture, extremely leishmanicidal, a potent antioxidant, induced a remarkable apoptotic index, significantly increased the expression of the Th1-related cytokines (IL-12p40, IFN-γ, and TNF- α), iNOS, and transcription factors (STAT1, c-Fos, and Elk-1). In contrast, the expression of the Th2-related cytokines was significantly downregulated (p < 0.001). This combination was also potent when the lesion appearance was evaluated following three weeks of treatment. The histopathological and immunohistochemical patterns of the murine model represented clusters of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes which compressed and deteriorated the macrophages harboring Leishman bodies. The primary mode of action of 6-gingerol and amphotericin B involved broad mechanistic insights providing a coherent basis for further clinical study as a potential drug candidate for CL. In conclusion, 6-gingerol with amphotericin B synergistically exerted anti-leishmanial activity in vitro and in vivo and potentiated macrophages' leishmanicidal activity, modulated Th1- and Th2-related phenotypes improved the histopathological changes in the BALB/c mice infected with L. major. They elevated the leukocyte infiltration into the lesions. Therefore, this combination should be considered for treating volunteer patients with CL in clinical studies.
Taiebeh Karimi, Iraj Sharifi, Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian, Behnaz Aflatoonian, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi, Ehsan Salarkia, Zahra Babaei, Farzaneh Zarinkar, Fatemeh Sharifi, Nima Hatami,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Background Epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are occurring more frequently and spreading faster and farther than before in many areas of the world. The present study aimed to assess a long-lasting emerging epidemic (2005–2019) of 5532 cases with anthroponotic CL (ACL) in peri-urban areas of Kerman city in southeastern Iran. Methods This descriptive-analytical study was carried out for 15 years in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. The data were passively obtained through the health surveillance system and the Kerman Leishmaniasis Research Center. Every subject was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy. The representative causative agent was further examined by ITS1-PCR, PCR-RFLP, 7SL RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. For each subject, a case report form designating demographic and clinical data was recorded. Results A different pattern of ACL incidence was found in peri-urban areas compared to that in the city of Kerman. The incidence rate of ACL cases has significantly increased (P < 0.001) from 2005 to 2016 in new settlements with a gradual decline after that. The overall average risk of contracting the disease was 7.6 times higher in peri-urban areas compared to Kerman city, an old endemic focus. All isolates consisting of six variants were confirmed to be Leishmania tropica. The overall pattern of the ACL infection indicates that the etiological agent of ACL is propagated and transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from person to person from dissimilar clones as reflected by the complexity of the migrants’ backgrounds in the province. Conclusions The movement of populations and establishment of new settlements in peri-urban areas close to endemic areas are major risk factors for and are directly linked to CL. The underlying factors of this emerging ACL epidemic caused by L. tropica were disasters and droughts, among others. A robust commitment to a multilateral approach is crucial to make improvements in this area. This will require decisive coordinated actions through all governmental factions and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, active and passive case detection strategies, early diagnosis, and effective treatment could help control the disease.
Raheleh Eftekhari-Kenzerki, Kavous Solhjoo, Zahra Babaei, Hassan Rezanezhad, Ahmad Abolghazi, and Ali Taghipour
IWA Publishing
Abstract Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living amoeba that can cause major infections in humans, including keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis. Thus, water resources play an important role in transmitting Acanthamoeba spp. infection to humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from three cities of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Eighty water samples of 20 public indoor swimming pools were taken from Kerman, Jiroft, and Kahnauj cities. Water temperature (°C), pH, and free chlorine concentration (ppm) were measured. Filtration and cultivation were applied on non-nutrient agar medium. The polymerase chain reaction was applied by using the genus-specific primers (JDP1 and JDP2) on positive samples; these primers can amplify the 423–551 bp fragment. Eighteen of the 20 swimming pools (including 32/80; 40% samples) were contaminated with Acanthamoeba spp. All swimming pools of Jiroft and Kahnauj and 88.2% of swimming pools in Kerman were contaminated. As such, all 32 Acanthamoeba isolates were amplified using the JDP primer pairs. Two genotypes, T3 and T4, were also identified. The present research is the first to report Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from Kerman Province. Due to high occurrence of this protozoan, it is recommended to use warning signs around swimming pools to create awareness of this infection.
Iraj Sharifi, Fatemeh Tabatabaie, Saeideh Nikpour, Mahshid Mostafavi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Fatemeh Sharifi, Zahra Babaei, Elham Jafari, Ehsan Salarkia, and Delavar Shahbazzadeh
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to explore the activity of Naja naja oxiana venom on Leishmania tropica and its modes of action.
METHODS
Different fractions of Naja naja oxiana venom (NNOV) were prepared and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. The superior component, fraction k (FK) was selected. The activity of the fraction was assessed using advanced assays.
RESULTS
Interleukin (IL)-12, TNF-α and iNOS gene expression as the indicators of Th1 significantly increased. In contrast, the level of IL-10, as the marker of T helper 2 substantially decreased (p < 0.001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) after treatment with different concentrations of NNOV-FK, unlike arginase (L-ARG) activity which showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001). The NNOV-FK showed significant lethal activity on the L. tropica stages.
CONCLUSION
The findings demonstrated that NNOV-FK represented a strong leishmanicidal activity on L. tropica stages. The major modes of NNOV-FK action are multidimensional, which perceives the induction of a synergistic response and upregulation of the immune-modulatory role towards Th1 response against L. tropica stages as well as apoptotic and anti-metabolic action as a model drug to generate ROS, block the polyamine synthesis and lead to parasite death.
M. Diba, A. Seghatoleslam, M. Namavari, Shahabaddin Assadi, S. Vakili, Z. Babaei and M. Akmali
Chemotherapy is the main approach for the treatment of cancer; however, it often causes unpleasant oxidative damages. Therefore, the development of an effective alternative/complementary therapy with improved tumor suppression efficiency and lower adverse effects is highly required. Recently, it has been shown that Cyrtopodion scabrum extract (CsE) is an effective and selective tumor suppressor medicine. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of Cyrtopodion scabrum homogenate (CsH) and CsE and their effects on attenuating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced liver dysfunction in rats. A total of 60 male rats (weight: 200-220 g) were divided into six groups and treated for 14 days. The control (group I) and 5-FU (group II) groups received distilled water and 5-FU, respectively. The other four groups were orally administered with CsE, CsH, CsE+5-FU, and CsH+5-FU (groups III to VI), respectively by gavages based on a daily schedule. The 5-FU-induced oxidative damage was evaluated by changes in the weight and food and water intake during the treatment and antioxidant parameters in the liver and serum of the treated rats. The obtained data indicated that the administration of CsH and CsE significantly improved liver function and defense system of antioxidants by attenuating the levels or activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide anion, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase and decrease of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, total protein, and albumin in the liver and serum, induced by 5-FU treatment. The obtained data of the current study suggested that CsH and CsE play a protective role in the imbalance elicited by 5-FU and can be used as alternative/complementary supplements with 5-FU to reduce oxidative damages which is the consequence of reactive oxygen species production in cancerous patients.
Zahra Babaei, Reza Taherkhani, Afshin Barazesh, Marzieh Taherzadeh, Soleiman Khorami, and Moradali Fouladvand
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Hydatid cyst is one of the parasitic zoonoses caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm. The spread of this parasite is global and is of great importance in terms of public health. To date, ten different species of this parasite have been identified that differ in characteristics such as life cycle, epidemiology and pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the genotype and phylogenetic relationship of hydatid cysts isolated from livestock of Bushehr province, Iran. About 62 samples of hepatic and pulmonary hydatid cysts were collected from slaughtered animals. DNA extracted by phenol–chloroform method was amplified by PCR using primers specific for the cox1 gene. The PCR products of 50 samples were sequenced and analyzed using BioEdit software and compared with sequences in the GenBank. The phylogenetic tree was drawn using Neighbor Joining tree-NJ method, and its reliability was evaluated. Sequencing results showed that out of 50 sequenced samples, 43 samples had the genotype of Echinococcus granulosus and 7 samples had the genotype of Taenia hydatigena. By drawing a phylogenetic tree, all 43 hydatid cyst samples belonged to G1 strain. The predominance of G1 strain of hydatid cyst in livestock of Bushehr province shows the main role of this genotype in establishing the life cycle of parasite in this region and if the genotype of the parasite in dogs and humans is determined, then these findings can be used to disrupt the life cycle of the parasite and reduce the human infections.
Mozhde Ilaghi, Iraj Sharifi, Fariba Sharififar, Fatemeh Sharifi, Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Zahra Babaei, Manzume Shamsi Meimamandi, Alireza Keyhani, and Mehdi Bamorovat
Elsevier BV
Introduction Treatment of leishmaniasis with conventional synthetic drugs is a major global challenge. This study was designed to explore the leishmanicidal activity and apoptotic profile of three leaf extracts on Leishmania tropica stages. Methods The plants of Quercus velutina, Calotropis procera and Nicotiana tabacum were gathered from Anbarabbad county, in the southeastern part of Kerman province and extracted by maceration method using methanol alcohol. Various concentrations of the extracts (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/mL) were used against L. tropica stages to evaluate the inhibitory effect by colorimetric assay, macrophage model and flow cytometry. The MTT assay was conducted to determine the IC50 and CC50 values in promastigotes and J774-A1 macrophages, respectively. For intra-macrophage amastigotes, the leishmanicidal activity was evaluated by calculating the mean number of amastigotes in each macrophage and also IC50 values. The promastigote or amastigote stages with no drug and complete medium without organisms were considered as positive and negative controls, respectively. Meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) was also used as standard drug. Also, annexin V was used to assess the apoptotic profile. All treatment settings were incubated for a standard time of 72 h in triplicates. Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA. Results The findings showed that all plant extracts inhibited the proliferation rate of promastigotes and amastigotes (P ˂ 0.001); especially, Q. velutina represented the lowest IC50 in both stages. Besides, Q. velutina showed the least number of amastigotes in each macrophage compared to the other groups (4.5 μg/mL). The percentage of parasitic apoptosis at 1000 μg/mL of Q. velutina, C. procera, N. tabacum and Glucantime® were 37.4, 18.6, 8.5 and 52.4, respectively. Amastigotes (clinical stage) were significantly more susceptible to extracts and also Glucantime® than promastigotes (P < 0.001). Conclusions This study revealed that all three extracts of Q. velutina, C. procera and N. tabacum exhibited an effective antileishmanial activity and induced apoptosis against the L. tropica promastigotes. Further investigations are essential to isolate and analyze the chemical compositions and their biological properties.
E. Javaheri, I. Sharifi, M. Bamorovat, R. Barghbani, O. Raiesi, Mehdi Borhani Zarandi, M. Mohammadi and Z. Babaei
Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is a major public health challenge in Iran. Overall, 18 provinces out of 31 of the country's provinces are in the endemic areas. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of CL species in Sabzevar and Neghaab cities, Khorasan Razavi province, northeastern Iran. Overall, 280 samples were taken from suspected individuals referred to Sabzevar's and Neghaab's health centers during 2014-2016. Smear preparation, case detection and further identification by partial amplification of 7SL RNA and high-resolution melting curve analysis were done for all samples, followed by randomly polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing confirmation. Based on findings, the most infection rate was found in males with the age groups of 20-30 in both districts. All samples were characterized as Leishmania major, except one isolate in Neghaab closely related to Leishmania tropica. Various risk factors play roles in creating new foci of zoonotic CL (ZCL) caused by L. major in Sabzevar and Neghaab in northeastern Iran. Reports of the prevalence of CL in new foci make serious concerns about the incidence of cases and expansion of disease to the neighboring areas. Further measures are essential to control the disease in the regions.
Nima Firouzeh, Naser Ziaali, Vahid Sheibani, Amir Hossein Doustimotlagh, Ali Afgar, Maryam Zamanpour, Hossein Keshavarz, Saeideh Shojaee, Reza Shafiei, Khadijeh Esmaeilpour,et al.
Knowledge E
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been proposed, we tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD.
 Methods: To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice (BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation, and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model.
 Results: Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD group.
 Conclusion: Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing.
Saeideh Nikpour, Fatemeh Tabatabaie, Iraj Sharifi, Mahshid Mostafavi, Razieh T. Oliaee, Fatemeh Sharifi, Zahra Babaei, Elham Jafari, Ehsan Salarkia, and Delavar Shahbazzadeh
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Background and Aims: Due to the lack of an effective vaccine and complexity of the control measures against vectors and reservoir hosts, the control of leishmaniasis depends primarily on chemotherapy. This study was aimed to assess the snake venom, Naja naja oxiana fraction 11(NNOVF11) on Leishmania infantum and its broad mode of action. Methods: A wide range of in vitro advanced assays including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), MTT (3-[4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5diphenyltetrazolium bromide; Thiazolyl blue), macrophage assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), flow cytometry and enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on L. infantum promastigote and amastigote stages were used. IC50 values of L. infantum stages, CC50 value, and apoptosis were also analyzed. Results: The NNOV-F11 demonstrated strong antileishmanial activity against L. infantum stages in a dose-dependent manner compared to the untreated control group. Interleukin (IL)-12, TNF-α, and iNOS genes expression as the indicators of T helper(h)1 response significantly increased; in contrast, the expression level of IL-10, as the representative of Th2 response significantly decreased (p < 0.001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) after treatment with different concentrations of NNOV-F11, unlike arginase (ARG) activity, which displayed a significant reduction (p < 0.001). Conclusion: NNOV-F11 possessed a potent inhibitory effect on L. infantum stages with the multifunctional and broad mode of actions, which promoted the immunomodulatory role, induced ROS production, stimulated apoptotic–like mechanisms, and inhibited L-ARG activity, which collectively led to the parasite death. Further studies are crucial to assess the effect of the NNOV-F11 on animal models or clinical settings.
Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee, Iraj Sharifi, Mehdi Bamorovat, Alireza Keyhani, Zahra Babaei, Ehsan Salarkia, Rahele Tavakoly, Ahmad Khosravi, Mahshid Mostafavi, Fatemeh Sharifi,et al.
Elsevier BV
Leishmaniasis represents a major health concern worldwide which has no effective treatment modality. Nicotinamide (NAm) has been used for a wide range of applications from anticancer to antimicrobial usage. This study aimed to assess the effect of NAm combination on Leishmania tropica Inhibition, as well as on cytokines gene expression and arginase (ARG) activity in L. tropica-infected macrophages in an in vitro model. The leishmanicidal effects of NAm and Glucantime (meglumine antimoniate, MA) alone and in combination (NAm/MA) were evaluated using a colorimetric assay and macrophage model. Additionally, immunomodulatory effects and enzymatic activity were assessed by analyzing Th1 and Th2 cytokines gene expression and ARG level, respectively, in infected macrophages treated with NAm and MA, alone and in combination. Findings indicated that the NAm/MA combination demonstrated greater inhibitory effects on L. tropica promastigotes and amastigotes compared with each drug individually. Docking results proved the affinity of NAm to IFN-γ, which can affirm the increased levels of IFN-γ, IL-12p40 and TNF-α as well as reductions in IL-10 secretion with a dose-response effect, especially in the combination group. The NAm/MA combination also showed a significant reduction in the level of ARG activity at all concentrations used compared to each drug individually. These findings indicate higher effectiveness of NAm plus MA in reducing parasite growth, promoting immune response and inhibiting ARG level. This combination should be considered as a potential therapeutic regimen for treatment of volunteer patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in future control programs.
Giti Shirvani, Majid Fasihi-Harandi, Omid Raiesi, Nasrin Bazargan, Mohammad Javad Zahedi, Iraj Sharifi, Behjat Kalantari-Khandani, Maryam Nooshadokht, Hajar Shabandoust, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi,et al.
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Blastocystis is a parasite that colonizes in the human intestine. Its clinical features include diarrhea, abdominal pain, or urticarial and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Spite of being significant genetic diversity and numerous subtypes within the genus there were no associations between its subtypes and symptomatology. Aim of this project was subtyping of the protozoa in 184 Iranian people with history of IBS/IBD (n = 74) or chronic urticaria (n = 59) and individuals referred to general clinic (n = 51). Microscopic and molecular examinations used for identifying and subtyping of Blastocystis. Overall, frequency of the parasite was 24.46% while, 29.41% of people who referred to general clinic, 20.27%, and 25.42% of IBS/IBD and urticarial cases were infected, respectively. Subtyping result showed that 28.89% of all people were infected with Blastocystis sp. while the prevalence of ST3, ST2 and ST1 were 22.22%, 22.22%, and 17.78%, respectively. Blastocystis sp., was identified in most IBS/IBD cases (46.7%) followed with ST2 and ST3 (13.3 and 13.3, respectively). Whereas, in chronic urticaria group ST2(33.3%) was the major subtype and most individuals in control group were infected with ST3 (33.3%). Pearson’s Chi Square test showed no significant differences between the parasite or subtype prevalence and diseases (p > 0.05). Given significant factors have effect on clinical signs including host or parasite genetics, microbiota, as well as environmental factors, it seems that further studies are needed to find out different markers of host susceptibility to diverse parasite genotypes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome or urticaria.
Hajar Shabandoust, Iraj Sharifi, Omid Raiesi, Muhammad Ibrahim Getso, Ebrahim Dezaki Saedi, Ali Afgar, Giti Shirvani, Ehsan Salarkia, and Zahra Babaei
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Leishmania, an obligate intracellular parasite is eliminated by a strong Th-1 host response. As Vitamin D metabolism and its receptor activity are important factors in human native immune system against some microorganisms, we hypothesized that VDR gene polymorphisms and concentration of Vitamin D might have effect on incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphism and/or the serum vitamin D level and leishmaniasis in the infected patients in comparison to the healthy individuals. In this case–control study, the BsmI, FokI and Taq1 polymorphisms in the VDR gene and serum levels of vitamin D were studied in Iranian infected with Leishmania tropica (n = 50) and healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and Electrochemiluminescence methods respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software, Chi square and ANOVA tests. The results of this study showed that despite the relatively higher frequency of BsmI-BB, FokI-FF and TaqI-Tt than Non BsmI-BB, Non FokI-FF and Non TaqI-Tt in the patients compared with the healthy individuals, the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Based on our findings, the relationship between the VDR polymorphism, the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the susceptibility to Leishmania tropica infection, remains unclear requiring further in-depth studies. However, for better interpretation, it is necessary to consider factors such as the size of the sample examined and the other alleles of VDR, including ApaI.
Zahra Babaei, Iman Pouladi, Abbass Ashtari, Gasem Azimi, and Mohammad Niakan
Kowsar Medical Institute
Background: Atypical pneumonia is an upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of atypical pneumonia caused by M. pneumonia by culture and molecular PCR methods in Tehran. Methods: In the present study, 102 samples of throat swab were collected from patients with respiratory infections. All samples were cultured in liquid PPLO Broth And solid PPLO agar media (1% glucose and 20% horse serum). The PCR technique with specific primers was implemented after culture and genome extraction through phenol-chloroform technique. Results: In this study, 27 (26.47%) colonies of Mycoplasma were isolated on PPLO agar medium. Using specific primers, it was found that 33 samples (32.4%) were positive in terms of Mycoplasma genus and 14 samples (13.7%) were positive for the presence of M. pneumonia. Conclusions: Mycoplasma pneumonia is a pathogen that causes respiratory tract infections in humans. Molecular PCR method is a quick and sensitive technique that has higher sensitivity and specificity than other methods. The obtained results may contribute to the specific treatment of some patients with symptoms of respiratory infections.