Nanoparticles as Alternatives for the Control of Haemonchus contortus: A Systematic Approach to Unveil New Anti-haemonchiasis Agents

Epidemiology and phylogeny of Haemonchus contortus through internal transcribed spacer 2 gene in small ruminants

Introduction

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is a blood-feeding nematode causing infectious disease haemonchosis in small ruminants of tropical and subtropical regions around the world. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and phylogeny of H. contortus in small ruminants using the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) gene. In addition, a comprehensive review of the available literature on the status of H. contortus in Pakistan was conducted.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected from sheep and goats (n = 180). Microscopically positive samples were subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR using species-specific primers.

Results

The overall prevalence of H. contortus was 25.55% in small ruminants. The prevalence of H. contortus was significantly associated with months and area. The highest occurrence of haemonchosis was documented in July (38.70%), whereas the lowest occurred in December (11.11%), with significant difference. The prevalence was highest in the Ghamkol camp (29.4%) and lowest in the arid zone of the Small Ruminant Research Institute (17.5%) (p = 0.01). The results of the systematic review revealed the highest prevalence of haemonchosis (34.4%) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (p = 0.001).

Discussion

Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between H. contortus and isolates from Asia (China, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Mongolia) and European countries (Italy and the United Kingdom). It has been concluded that H. contortus is prevalent in small ruminants of Kohat district and all over Pakistan, which could be a potential threat to food-producing animals, farmers, dairy, and the meat industry. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that H. contortus isolates share close phylogenetic relationships with species from Asia and Europe.

In vivo efficacy of silver nanoparticles against Syphacia muris infected laboratory Wistar rats

Helminth infections are a worldwide problem that affects both humans and animals in developing countries. The common pinworm Syphacia muris frequently infects lab rats and can obstruct the creation of unrelated biological experiments. The objective of this study was to examine the in vivo efficacy of silver nanoparticles against S. muris infected Wistar rats. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction examinations of silver nanoparticles revealed highly pure polycrystals with a mean size of 4 nm. Rats were divided into group I, the control: received distilled water; groups II and III, the treated: received 2, 4 mg/kg b.w. of Ag NPs, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, all rats were euthanized and dissected for collecting worms. The surface topography of the recovered worms was displayed using light and scanning electron microscopy, and their physiological status was determined using oxidative stress biomarkers. The histological changes in the rat liver, kidney, and spleen were also examined. In the current study, Ag NPs administration revealed substantial alterations in worms collected from treated rats, including shrinkage of lips, peeling and rupture of body cuticles, and disruption of surface annulations. Also, induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, as well as a decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels compared to control group. Moreover, sections of treated rats' liver, kidney and spleen displayed normal cellular appearance. In conclusion, this is the first in vivo study to evaluate Ag NPs efficacy against S. muris in laboratory rats without significant toxicity.

Emerging alternatives to traditional anthelmintics: the in vitro antiparasitic activity of silver and selenium nanoparticles, and pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract against Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal nematodes, causing health problems and economic losses in ruminants. Nanotechnology holds great promise as a field of science, with potential applications in veterinary medicine. This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), and pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum; PPE) on different stages of H. contortus: eggs, larvae, and adults. The in vitro anthelmintic efficacy was evaluated using the egg hatching inhibition assay (EHA), the third larval stage paralysis assay (LPA), and the adult worm motility inhibition assay (WMI). Six dilutions of PPE were utilized for EHA, LPA, and WMI, ranging from 0.25 to 6 mg/ml. AgNPs dilutions ranged from 0.00001 to 1.0 μg/ml for EHA and LPA and 1 to 25 μg/ml for WMI. SeNPs were utilized at dilutions of 1, 5, 10, and 15 μg/ml for EHA, LPA, and WMI. The results showed that the lowest concentration of AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE significantly inhibited egg hatching. To further assess larvicidal activity, AgNPs at the highest concentration of 1 μg/ml induced a strong larvicidal effect, as did SeNPs at the lowest concentration. On the contrary, PPE displayed a significant larvicidal effect at 1 mg/ml compared to the control. The percentage mortality of adult H. contortus was measured as follows (mortality (%) = the number of dead adult H. contortus/total number of adult H. contortus per test × 100). The death of the adult H. contortus was determined by the absence of motility. Adult H. contortus mortality percentage was also significantly affected by all three agents when compared to the control. The AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE have effective antiparasitic activity on gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. These results provide evidence of the excellent antiparasitic properties of AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE, demonstrating their effectiveness in controlling eggs, larvae, and adult H. contortus in vitro.