Farnaz Kheirandish

Bio: Farnaz Kheirandish is an academic researcher from Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Toxoplasma gondii & Toxoplasmosis. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 71 publications receiving 767 citations.

Scolicidal Effects of Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) Essential Oil on Hydatid Cysts

Abstract: Surgery remains the preferred treatment for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis, CE). Various scolicidal agents have been used for inactivation of protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) essential oil and also its active principle, thymoquinone, against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (0.01-10 mg/ml) and thymoquinone (0.125-1.0 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Furthermore, the components of the N. sativa essential oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Our study revealed that the essential oil of N. sativa at the concentration of 10 mg/ml and its main component, thymoquinone, at the concentration of 1 mg/ml had potent scolicidal activities against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus after 10 min exposure. Moreover, thymoquinone (42.4%), p-cymene (14.1%), carvacrol (10.3%), and longifolene (6.1%) were found to be the major components of N. sativa essential oil by GC/MS analysis. The results of this study indicated the potential of N. sativa as a natural source for production of a new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be needed to confirm these results by checking the essential oil and its active component in in vivo models.

Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis Isolated From Cattle in Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract: Background: Blastocystis is a zoonotic protozoan parasite living in the digestive system of some vertebrates. This parasite has some subtypes, pathogenicity status of which has still remained controversial.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the subtype of Blastocystis in infected cattle.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 196 isolates from cattle stool samples collected from slaughterhouse in Khorramabad city, Iran, in 2012. Genomic DNA was extracted and to determine the Blastocystis subtype, seven pairs of sequence-tagged sites (STS) primers were used.Results: Of 196 specimens, 19 (9.6%) were infected with Blastocystis. Among the 19 positive samples, the most common subtype was ST5 (47.36 %), followed by ST3 (10.53%) and ST6 (10.53%). Two (10.53%) samples had mixed infections by ST3 and ST5. The four isolates not amplified by any STS primers were probably unknown genotypes.Conclusions: In the present study, the highest prevalence was for ST5, which is so important for epidemiology and risk of human infection. The report related to ST3 in cattle as a subtype of human showed mutual infection between human and cattle. Another important point in this study was the ST6 report. Finally, it seems that gathering epidemiological data is needed for a better understanding of the potential animal reservoirs for human infection.Keywords:Blastocystis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cattle; Subtype; Iran

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers in western iran

Abstract: Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health, especially in developing countries. In this study, all of the fast food shops, restaurants, and roast meat outlets of Khorramabad (Western Iran) and all the staff employed by them, some 210 people, were selected through a census and their stools were examined for the presence of parasites. The parasitological tests of direct wet-mount, Lugol's iodine staining, formaldehyde-ether sedimentation and Trichrome staining techniques were performed on the samples. The data was analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression was selected as the analytical model. The results showed 19 (9%) stool specimens were positive for different intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites included Giardia lamblia 2.9%, Entamoeba coli 4.3%, Blastocystis sp. 1.4%, and Hymenolepis nana 0.5%. There was a significant difference between the presence of a valid health card, awareness of transmission of intestinal parasites, participation in training courses in environmental health with intestinal parasites (p 0.05). To control parasitic infection in food handlers, several strategies are recommended such as stool examinations every three months, public education, application of health regulations, controlling the validity of health cards and training on parasitic infection transmission. In this regard, the findings of the present study can be used as a basis to develop preventive programs targeting food handlers because the spread of disease via them is a common problem worldwide.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among healthy blood donors in south‐east of Iran

Abstract: This prospective cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluatethe prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodiesand the associated risk factors among healthy blood donorsin Kerman province, south-eastern Iran. Structured questionnaires(before the donors gave blood) were used to obtaininformation on risk factors for infection. Totally, 500 serumsamples from healthy blood donors of Kerman Blood TransfusionOrganization (KBTO) at Kerman, Iran, werescreened for IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies byenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RocheElecsys Toxo IgM assay. Real-time PCR was used to detectDNA of T. gondii in the IgM-positive samples. Seroprevalenceof IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies was 288%and 32%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression, itcould be observed that living in rural regions, having B bloodtype, being in contact with cats, consuming raw vegetablesand raw milk/egg and doing agricultural activities were independentrisk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity. T. gondiiDNA was also found in one (90%) of IgM-positivesamples. In this study, it was found that T. gondii infectionwas present among healthy blood donors in south-east ofIran. Therefore, it is suggested to design screeningprogrammes for preventing transfusion-transmittedtoxoplasmosis.Keywords blood transfusion, IgG antibody, IgM antibody,Real-Time PCR, toxoplasmosis

Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century.

Abstract: Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by cestodes of the genus Echinococcus (family Taeniidae). This serious and near-cosmopolitan disease continues to be a significant public health issue, with western China being the area of highest endemicity for both the cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) forms of echinococcosis. Considerable advances have been made in the 21st century on the genetics, genomics, and molecular epidemiology of the causative parasites, on diagnostic tools, and on treatment techniques and control strategies, including the development and deployment of vaccines. In terms of surgery, new procedures have superseded traditional techniques, and total cystectomy in CE, ex vivo resection with autotransplantation in AE, and percutaneous and perendoscopic procedures in both diseases have improved treatment efficacy and the quality of life of patients. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management, control, and prevention of CE and AE. Currently there is no alternative drug to albendazole to treat echinococcosis, and new compounds are required urgently. Recently acquired genomic and proteomic information can provide a platform for improving diagnosis and for finding new drug and vaccine targets, with direct impact in the future on the control of echinococcosis, which continues to be a global challenge.

Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin: New Insights and Perspectives for Human Health.

Abstract: Quercetin (Que) and its derivatives are naturally occurring phytochemicals with promising bioactive effects. The antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-Alzheimer's, antiarthritic, cardiovascular, and wound-healing effects of Que have been extensively investigated, as well as its anticancer activity against different cancer cell lines has been recently reported. Que and its derivatives are found predominantly in the Western diet, and people might benefit from their protective effect just by taking them via diets or as a food supplement. Bioavailability-related drug-delivery systems of Que have also been markedly exploited, and Que nanoparticles appear as a promising platform to enhance their bioavailability. The present review aims to provide a brief overview of the therapeutic effects, new insights, and upcoming perspectives of Que.

Molecular Epidemiology of Blastocystis sp. in Various Animal Groups from Two French Zoos and Evaluation of Potential Zoonotic Risk

Abstract: Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite infecting humans and a wide range of animals worldwide. It exhibits an extensive genetic diversity and 17 subtypes (STs) have thus far been identified in mammalian and avian hosts. Since several STs are common to humans and animals, it was proposed that a proportion of human infections may result from zoonotic transmission. However, the contribution of each animal source to human infection remains to be clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to expand our knowledge of the epidemiology and host specificity of this parasite by performing the largest epidemiological survey ever conducted in animal groups in terms of numbers of species screened. A total of 307 stool samples from 161 mammalian and non-mammalian species in two French zoos were screened by real-time PCR for the presence of Blastocystis sp. Overall, 32.2% of the animal samples and 37.9% of the species tested were shown to be infected with the parasite. A total of 111 animal Blastocystis sp. isolates were subtyped, and 11 of the 17 mammalian and avian STs as well as additional STs previously identified in reptiles and insects were found with a varying prevalence according to animal groups. These data were combined with those obtained from previous surveys to evaluate the potential risk of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis sp. through the comparison of ST distribution between human and animal hosts. This suggests that non-human primates, artiodactyls and birds may serve as reservoirs for human infection, especially in animal handlers. In contrast, other mammals such as carnivores, and non-mammalian groups including reptiles and insects, do not seem to represent significant sources of Blastocystis sp. infection in humans. In further studies, more intensive sampling and screening of potential new animal hosts will reinforce these statements and expand our understanding of the circulation of Blastocystis sp. in animal and human populations.