Silybum marianum ethanolic extract: in vitro effects on protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus G1 strain with emphasis on other Iranian medicinal plants

Growth, Carcass Traits, Blood Chemistry and Gut Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Enriched With Garden Cress Seed Powder as a Natural Growth Enhancer

This study investigated the effects of garden cress seed powder (GCSP) as a natural growth promoter and antioxidant agent in broiler diets, focusing on growth performance, carcass characteristics, microbial load and blood traits. A total of 210 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to 3 experimental groups in a completely randomized design. Each group consisted of 7 replicates with 10 unsexed chicks per replicate. The dietary treatments included: (A) a basal diet without additives (control); (GCSP 1) a basal diet supplemented with 1 g GCSP/kg diet and (GCSP 2) a basal diet supplemented with 2 g GCSP/kg diet. The results revealed no significant differences in body weight (BW), BW gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the GCSP-treated groups and the control. However, numerically, the GCSP-supplemented groups exhibited improved BW, BWG and FCR compared to the control. Carcass traits remained largely unaffected, except for dressing percentage, carcass yield, thigh proportion and abdominal fat percentage, where significant differences were observed. Blood biochemical analysis showed a reduction in total protein, albumin and globulin levels in GCSP-fed groups, whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL (VLDL) levels decreased, though these changes were not statistically significant. Immunological and antioxidative responses improved, as evidenced by elevated immunoglobulin Y (IgY), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, alongside reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the GCSP-fed groups compared to the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with GCSP enhanced broiler immunity and antioxidative status, promoting increased IgY, IgM and SOD levels while reducing MDA levels. These findings highlight GCSP as a potential natural additive to improve broiler health and contribute to the production of healthier poultry products for consumers.

Predictive Factors of Liver Hydatid Cyst Recurrence in Children

BACKGROUND

Liver hydatid cyst affects approximately 95% of the world's echinococcosis cases. Despite advances in treatment, the recurrence rate remains high and is influenced by several factors that are yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to identify the predictive factors of liver hydatid cyst recurrence following surgery in children and to establish a treatment regimen aimed at preventing this postoperative morbidity.

METHODS

A bi-centric retrospective descriptive and analytic study was conducted involving 122 children who underwent surgery for liver hydatid cysts between January 1st, 2009, and December 31st, 2017. All factors that could potentially contribute to recurrence were thoroughly investigated. The data was processed using SPSS.v21, and a significant level of p-value 0.05 was applied.

RESULTS

Out of the 122 children, 20 patients experienced cyst recurrence (16.39%). Among them, there were nine girls and eleven boys. The median time of recurrence was 16.5 months. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated efficacy in detecting recurrence. Several factors were identified as predictors of postoperative recurrence, including intimate contact of the hydatid cyst with the large vessels (p = 0.031), intraperitoneal effusion (p = 0.042), bile duct dilation (p = 0.032), and postoperative spontaneous discontinuation of medical treatment (p = 0.010). Among these factors, two independent risk factors for recurrence were identified: intimate contact of the hydatid cyst with the large vessels (p = 0.011) and the presence of an intraperitoneal effusion (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Our study has identified several predictors of postoperative recurrence, including two previously undocumented risk factors in the literature. Awareness of these risk factors can assist surgeons in implementing preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of hydatid cysts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis study Level II.

Challenges and Prospective of Enhancing Hydatid Cyst Chemotherapy by Nanotechnology and the Future of Nanobiosensors for Diagnosis

Hydatid cysts have been widely recognized for decades as a common medical problem that affects millions of people. A revolution in medical treatment may be on the prospect of nanotechnology enhancing chemotherapy against hydatid cysts. An overview of nanotechnology's impact on chemotherapeutics is presented in the current review. It discusses some of the challenges as well as some of the opportunities. The application of nanotechnology to enhance chemotherapy against hydatid cysts is what this review will explore. Nanotechnology is a critical component of delivering therapeutic agents with greater precision and efficiency and targeting hydatid cysts with better efficacy, and minimizing interference with surrounding tissue. However, there are biodistribution challenges, toxicity, and resistance problems associated with nanotherapeutics. Additionally, nanobiosensors are being investigated to enable the early diagnosis of hydatid cysts. A nanobiosensor can detect hydatid cysts by catching them early, non-invasively, rapidly, and accurately. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests can be enhanced with nanobiosensors because they take advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials. By providing more precise and customized treatment options for hydatid cysts, nanotechnology may improve therapeutic options and strategies for diagnosing the disease. In conclusion, treatment with nanotechnology to treat hydatid cysts is potentially effective but presents many obstacles. Furthermore, nanobiosensors are being integrated into diagnostic techniques, as well as helping to diagnose patients earlier and more accurately.

The occurrence of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, south of Iran

Cystic echincoccosis (CE) is a major medical and veterinary concern in the world, especially in Iran. Domestic intermediate hosts are an important reservoir for the disease spread. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CE in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, south of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3074 animals (2325 (75.63%) goats, 423 (13.76%) sheep, and 326 (10.60%) cattle) were inspected macroscopically for CE. In this regard, a questionnaire about the age, sex, infected organ, number of cysts, and cyst fertility was accomplished for each animal. Moreover, PCR was applied by using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COX1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) fragments of parasite mitochondrial genomes on some positive samples. Prevalence of CE in sheep, cattle, and goats was 11.34% (48/423), 11.04% (36/326), and 2.79% (65/2325), respectively. In all livestock, CE was more common in females than males. Moreover, the highest infection rate was observed in the age group of more than 72 months. Considering the fertility of cysts, the ratio of the number of fertile cysts to total cysts in sheep and goats were 83.3% (40/48) and 80% (52/65), respectively. All hydatid cysts were infertile in cattle. With regard to the location of the cyst on internal organs, the most were observed in the lungs and liver. Regarding the intensity of infection, 1–5, 6–9 and ≥ 10 cysts were detected in 78.52% (117/149), 6.71% (10/149) and 10.73% (16/149) of infected livestock, respectively. In all livestock, hydatid cyst with a diameter of 1–5 cm was the most frequent with 71.81% (107/149). All 149 cyst samples were subjected to PCR. Among them, a total of 18 samples (six samples of each animal) were prepared for sequencing. G6 was the most dominant. According to the results of present study and the relatively high prevalence of CE in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, health policy makers, health authorities, and experts should make effective approach in this regard, and implement careful inspections.

Herbal Medicines against Hydatid Disease: A Systematic Review (2000-2021)

Echinococcosis is a serious public health issue that affects people and livestock all over the world. Many synthetic and natural products have been examined in vitro and in vivo on Echinococcus species but only a few are used clinically, however, they may cause some complications and side effects. To overcome these limitations, new horizons of herbal drugs to cure echinococcosis are opening with every passing day. To summarize the developments during the last 21 years, we conducted this review of the literature to identify medicinal herbs utilized throughout the world that have anti-Echinococcus activity. From 2000 to 2021, data were carefully obtained from four English databases: Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and OpenGrey. Botanical name, extraction technique, extract quantities, efficacy, duration of treatment, year of publication, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were all well noted. Ninety-one published papers, with 78 in vitro and 15 in vivo, fulfilled our selection criteria. Fifty-eight different plant species were thoroughly tested against Echinococcus granulosus. Zataria multiflora, Nigella sativa, Berberis vulgaris, Zingiber officinale (ginger), and Allium sativum were the most often utilized anti-Echinococcus herbs and the leaves of the herbs were extensively used. The pooled value of IC50 was 61 (95% CI 60−61.9) according to the random effect model and a large degree of diversity among studies was observed. The current systematic study described the medicinal plants with anti-Echinococcus activity, which could be investigated in future experimental and clinical studies to identify their in vivo efficacy, lethal effects, and mechanisms of action.