Schistosomiasis treatment is dependent on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). The development of resistance of PZQ has drawn the attention of many researchers to alternative drugs. One viable and ...promising treatment is the study of medicinal plants as a new approach to the experimental treatment for Schistosomiasis. The present work aimed to evaluate in vivo antischistosomal activity of effect of Mentha x villosa Oil Essential (Mv-EO) and rotundifolone (ROT) against Schistosoma mansoni. Thirty-day-old female Swiss webster mice (Mus musculus) weighing 50 grams were used. Mice were infected with 80 cercariae of S. mansoni (BH strain) and orally administered Mv-EO (50, 100 and 200 mg/Kg) and ROT (35.9, 70.9 and 141.9 mg/Kg) at 45-days post infection for 5 consecutive days. All mice were euthanized 60 days after infection. Praziquantel was the positive control in the experiment. Doses of 200 mg/kg (Mv-EO) and ROT (141.9 mg/Kg) resulted in a significant reduction in fluke burden (72.44% and 74.48%, respectively). There was also marked reduction in liver, intestinal and faecal and changed oogram pattern, compared to infected untreated mice. Considering the results obtained, further biological studies are required in order to elucidate the mechanism of schistosomicidal action on against adult S. mansoni.
Schistosomiasis is one of the most significant neglected tropical diseases, affecting around 260 million people worldwide, and Praziquantel is currently the only available drug for the treatment of ...infected persons. Thus, the search for new schistosomicidal compounds is urgent. The objective of this study was to investigate of the schistosomicidal effect of barbatic acid, a lichen metabolite, on adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The in vitro schistosomicidal effect was evaluated through the assessment of motility and mortality, cellular viability of the worms and ultrastructural analysis through scanning electron microscopy. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of barbatic acid, a cell viability assay was performed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Barbatic acid showed a schistosomicidal effect after 3 h of exposure. At the end of 24 h the concentrations of 50–200 μM presented lethality on the worms. Motility changes were observed at sublethal concentrations. The IC50 obtained by the cell viability assay for S. mansoni was 99.43 μM. Extensive damage to the worm's tegument was observed from 25 μM. No cytotoxicity was observed on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This report provides data showing the schistosomicidal effect of barbatic acid on S. mansoni, causing death, motility changes and ultrastructural damage to worms. In addition, barbatic acid was shown to be non-toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at concentrations that are effective against S. mansoni.
Display omitted
•Barbatic acid exhibited schistosomicidal effect against adult S. mansoni.•Motility changes were observed in S.mansoni at all concentrations after 24 h.•Tegumentary damages were caused by the barbatic acid in Schistosoma mansoni.•No cytotoxicity was observed on PBMC exposed to barbatic acid after 72 h.
Essential oils and their isolated constituents are constantly being studied for the control of insect pests. In this context, the present research reports the chemical composition of Piper marginatum ...(Jacq.) oil aiming to: 1) establish lethal concentrations LC30 and LC50 for this oil and the compound geraniol, 2) histologically examine the embryonic development of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as 3) compare the efficacy of the P. marginatum oil with that of the botanical insecticide azadirachtin, the synthetic insecticide deltamethrin, and acetone as a negative control. Semithin sections of S. frugiperda eggs revealed that the oil, geraniol, azadirachtin, and deltamethrin affected embryonic development at both concentrations. However, geraniol and the oil were more efficient because they caused more significant damage, even at lower concentrations. SEM revealed that all products altered the morphology of the eggs, modifying the structure of the chorion and making the eggs nonviable. Thus, this work demonstrates that P. marginatum oil is effective in the control of S. frugiperda because it results in embryonic damage even at the lowest concentrations.
Aims
To investigate the effects of the lectin from Punica granatum sarcotesta (PgTeL) on growth, viability, cell structure, biofilm formation and chitinase activity of Listeria monocytogenes. In ...addition, the effect of PgTeL on the adhesion and invasion of human cells (HeLa) was determined.
Methods and Results
PgTeL showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on the strains L. monocytogenes N53‐1 and EGD‐e, causing morphometric alterations, cell aggregation, strong deformation and cell disruption. PgTeL inhibited biofilm formation by EGD‐e and N53‐1 and also interfered with the adhesion and invasion processes of EGD‐e and N53‐1 in HeLa cells. Finally, the chitinase activity of L. monocytogenes EGD‐e was reduced in the presence of PgTeL, which can be involved in the inhibition of adhesion process.
Conclusion
PgTeL is an antibacterial agent against L. monocytogenes, inhibiting growth and promoting cell death, as well as impairing biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion and invasion into human cells.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The results stimulate future investigations on the potential of PgTeL for protection of contamination in food products.
The lectin PgTeL is an antibacterial agent against Listeria monocytogenes, inhibiting growth and promoting cell death, as well as impairing biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion and invasion into human cells.
Visceral leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease. We evaluated the spatial distribution of cases of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. All cases of VL, registered by the ...health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 97.1% of the municipalities presented sporadic classification of transmission. With temporal evolution, the incidence of cases of visceral leishmaniosis was concentrated in most municipalities in the microregion of Santana do Ipanema-AL. Space-time analysis, if considered, may promote the improvement of surveillance and control actions of visceral leishmaniosis.
Roughly 200 000 000 people in 74 countries infected with schistosomes all share the fact that they came in contact freshwater harbouring infected snails. The aim of the study is to characterize the ...microbiota of wild and laboratory‐reared snails of Biomphalaria glabrata from Pernambuco, Brazil. The microbiota of these molluscs was identified biochemically by the VITEK 2 automated microbiological system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by the disc diffusion method with ß‐lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, quinolones, folate pathway inhibitors, fenicols and tetracyclines. The results showed that all bacteria identified were gram‐negative, including 11 bacterial genera: Aeromonas, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Cupriavidus, Rhizobium, Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Vibrio and Sphingomonas. Regarding the antimicrobial susceptibility, all the isolates exhibited resistance to amoxicillin and sensitivity to meropenem (beta‐lactam antimicrobials). The microbiota of the wild snails consisted predominantly of Enterobacter cloacae, while the laboratory‐reared snails predominantly showed Citrobacter freundii and Aeromonas sobria.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Biomphalaria glabrata is a Brazilian freshwater Planorbidae of great medical relevance as an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. About a month after being infected by one or more miracidia larvae of a compatible schistosome, B. glabrata sheds thousands of cercariae into the water where they seek human skin and, if successful, penetrate to establish infection, eventually taking up residence and maturing in blood vessels of the small intestine. Results obtained from this study aim at targeting novel biological control strategies for schistosomiasis such as paratransgenesis. This is the first study on the microbiota of B. glabrata from Brazil.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Biomphalaria glabrata is a Brazilian freshwater Planorbidae of great medical relevance as an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. About a month after being infected by one or more miracidia larvae of a compatible schistosome, B. glabrata sheds thousands of cercariae into the water where they seek human skin and, if successful, penetrate to establish infection, eventually taking up residence and maturing in blood vessels of the small intestine. Results obtained from this study aim at targeting novel biological control strategies for schistosomiasis such as paratransgenesis. This is the first study on the microbiota of B. glabrata from Brazil.
► Hemocyte subsets in
Biomphalaria glabrata and
Biomphalaria straminea. ► The same types of hemocytes in two species of mollusks. ► There are five types of cells in the hemolymph of
B. glabrata and
...B. straminea.
Biomphalaria glabrata and
Biomphalaria straminea have been identified as intermediate hosts for
Schistosoma mansoni. Several studies have found two cell types in the hemolymph of
B. glabrata (hyalinocytes and granulocytes). However, there are no studies describing the hemocytes of
B. straminea. With the aim of further describing the hemocyte subsets in
B. glabrata and
B. straminea, we conducted a detailed study using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Based on the morphological characteristics of the cells, we identified the same types of hemocytes in two species of molluscs, namely: blast-like cells, granulocytes, type I hyalinocytes, type II hyalinocytes and type III hyalinocytes. Blast-like cells had a spherical profile with a central nucleus filling almost the whole cell. Granulocytes were characterized by presenting variable numbers of granules. Type I hyalinocytes were the most abundant cell type and displayed various cytoplasmic projections. Type II and type III hyalinocytes had never previously been reported. They were few in number and were characterized by having an eccentric nucleus. From these results, it is concluded that there are five types of cells in the hemolymph of
B. glabrata and
B. straminea. Further studies are now needed to identify the role of these hemocytes in the immune response of these snails.
Schistosoma mansoni is one of the major parasites causing human schistosomiasis, recognized as a major global health problem with over 200 million people afflicted worldwide (Moraes et al., 2012). ...Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating disease that continues to threaten millions of people, particularly the rural poor in the developing world (WHO, 2011). The reference drug for treatment of schistosomiasis is praziquantel (PZQ), but this drug is ineffective against immature forms and recent reports of resistance in some strains have worried the world's public health organizations. Therefore many studies have been testing the effectiveness of new drugs against many schistosomiasis strains. The determination of cytotoxicity Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from heparinized blood from healthy, nonsmoking donors who had not taken any medication for at least 15 days prior to the sample collection (10 volunteers), and cells were isolated via a standard method of density-gradient centrifugation using a Ficoll Hypaque solution (GE Healthcare).
Abstract In Brazil, American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) has become a public health concern due to its high incidence and lethality. This study aimed to analyze the clinical, epidemiological, and ...laboratory aspects of AVL in a state of Brazil. This descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective, and quantitative study of notified cases of AVL was carried out in Alagoas between 2008 and 2017 from data obtained from DATASUS/SINAN. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were analyzed. A descriptive analysis was performed using absolute values and valid percentages, using tables and/or graphs. Data processing was performed using Stata 12.0®. Results with P <0.05 were considered statistically significant. During the study period, 352 cases of AVL were reported, of which 6.82% died and 38.92% had met a cure criterion. Male patients were predominant (66.76%). Of the total infected patients, 16.76% had attended only the 1st to the 4th grades, with those most affected aged 1 to 4 years (28.69%). Laboratory diagnostic criteria were most commonly used to confirm the notified cases (76.42%), whereas 51.70% and 8.52% of the cases had positive parasitological and immunofluorescence diagnoses, respectively. Finally, the study showed a higher prevalence of the disease in children, men and in rural residents. Although with low lethality, the expressive frequency of AVL in the State of Alagoas was still verified, since there was an increase in the number of cases during the years of the study.
Resumo No Brasil, a leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA) tornou-se uma preocupação de saúde pública devido à sua alta incidência e letalidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos e laboratoriais da AVL em um estado brasileiro. Este estudo descritivo, transversal, retrospectivo e quantitativo dos casos notificados de AVL foi realizado em Alagoas entre 2008 e 2017 a partir de dados obtidos do DATASUS/SINAN. Foram analisadas variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais. Foi realizada uma análise descritiva utilizando-se valores absolutos e percentuais válidos, utilizando tabelas e/ou gráficos. O processamento dos dados foi realizado por meio do Stata 12.0®. Os resultados com P<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Durante o período de estudo, foram notificados 352 casos de LVA, dos quais 6,82% morreram e 38,92% atenderam a um critério de cura. Os pacientes do sexo masculino foram predominantes (66,76%). Do total de pacientes infectados, 16,76% tinham sido atendidos apenas do 1º ao 4º ano, com os mais afetados entre 1 e 4 anos (28,69%). Os critérios de diagnóstico laboratorial foram mais utilizados para confirmar os casos notificados (76,42%), enquanto 51,70% e 8,52% dos casos apresentaram diagnósticos positivos parasitológicos e imunofluorescência, respectivamente. Por fim, o estudo demonstrou maior prevalência da doença em crianças, homens e nos residentes em zona rural. Embora com letalidade baixa, constatou-se ainda a expressiva frequência da LVA no Estado de Alagoas, uma vez que houve aumento do número de casos durante os anos do estudo.
•Divaricatic acid exhibited schistosomicidal effect against adult S. mansoni.•Motility changes were observed in S.mansoni at all concentrations after 24 hours.•Tegumentary damages were caused by the ...divaricatic acid in Schistosoma mansoni.•No cytotoxicity was observed on PBMC exposed to divaricatic acid after 72h.
In this study we evaluated the in vitro effect of divaricatic acid against coupled worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The schistosomicidal effect was evaluated through the bioassay of motility and mortality, cellular viability of the worms and ultrastructural analysis through Scanning Electron Microscopy. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of divaricatic acid, a cell viability assay was performed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Divaricatic acid proved effect against S. mansoni after 3 hours of exposure. At the end of 24 h the concentrations of 100 - 200 μM presented lethality to the worms. Motility changes were observed at sublethal concentrations. The IC50 obtained by the cell viability assay for S. mansoni was 100.6 μM (96.24 - 105.2 μM). Extensive damage to the worm's tegument was observed such as peeling, erosion, bubbles, edema, damage and loss of tubercles and spines, fissures and tissue ruptures. No cytotoxicity was observed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This report provides data showing the schistosomicidal effect of divaricatic acid on S. mansoni, causing death, motile changes and ultrastructural damage to worms. In addition, divaricatic acid was shown to be non-toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at concentrations effective on S. mansoni.
Display omitted
PDF
