Microfluidic-Based Formulation of Essential Oils-Loaded Chitosan Coated PLGA Particles Enhances Their Bioavailability and Nematocidal Activity

Dogs as a source for the spreading of enteric parasites including zoonotic ones in Giza Province, Egypt

To investigate the impact of domestic and stray dogs on the transmission of zoonotic and other parasites to humans in contact with them, fecal samples were collected from 80 domestic dogs that presented at a clinic with health disturbances and 220 randomly selected stray dogs housed in shelters. The parasitological examination of these samples revealed infection by six zoonotic and four non-zoonotic parasites in varying percentages. The zoonotic parasites included Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Echinococcus granulosus, Cryptosporidium species, and Giardia cysts and trophozoites. The other parasites included Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Taenia species eggs, and Isospora canis oocysts. The infection rate was higher in stray dogs (60%) than in domestic dogs (40%). Infected dogs in both groups were generally unhealthy, with poor body condition recorded in 13.8% of domestic dogs and 63.6% of stray dogs. The infection rate was higher (92%) among shelter workers than among domestic dog owners (66.7%). Giardia assemblages A and D from dogs and assemblage A from humans, as well as two isolates of Cryptosporidium canis (C. canis), one from dogs and the other from humans, were submitted in the GenBank with the accession numbers OQ870443, OQ870444, and OQ919265 for Giardia and OQ917532 & OQ915519 for C. canis of dogs & human, respectively. In conclusion, domestic and stray dogs play an essential role in transmitting zoonotic parasites to humans in contact with them, and regular deworming and strict hygienic measures are recommended to minimize their impact on human health.

Trichinocidal activity of a novel formulation of curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite in vitro

Curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite (CO-NC), a novel formulation of nano-curcumin, was produced and characterized. By evaluating the death rate and DNA damage inflicted on adult Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) worms using the comet test and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, the effectiveness of the substance against these worms was assessed in vitro. The mortality effects of CO-NC on the parasite adult worms were increased with the upgrading in the concentration and exposure time from 1 to 24 h using concentrations from 10 to 100 ppm. LC₅₀ was determined to be 10.0 ppm/18 h, 20.0 ppm/9 h, 40.0 ppm/6 h, 80.0 ppm/2 h, and 100.0 ppm/1 h, while LC₁₀₀ was 40.0 ppm/24 h, 80.0 ppm/12 h, and 100.0 ppm/6 h. The comet assay was utilized to examine DNA damage in control and dead worms exposed to varying doses. A direct correlation (P ≤ 0.05) was found between the increase in CO-NC dose and the degree of DNA damage as indicated by alterations in DNA % in the tail segment, tail length (μm), tail moment (μm), and olive tail moment with the control samples. The sub-epidermal layer was detached, the cuticle was partially sloughed off, and the usual creases, ridges, and annulations were altered in the T. spiralis exposed worms. As a result, the tested new trichinocidal drug formulation of nano-curcumin on an oil base was confirmed to be an efficient, secure, and environmentally friendly alternative. The medication has the potential to severely and irreversibly harm the DNA and ultrastructural morphology of adult worms.

Chitosan–silver nanocomposites as a promising tool for controlling the bed bug: Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera: Cimicidae)

This study evaluates the use of chitosan–silver nanocomposites (CSN) as an insecticide against the bed bug ( Cimex lectularius). Adult bed bugs were collected from infested residential areas and identified using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. CSN were prepared and photographed for characterization using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. The insecticidal effect of different concentrations of CSN (400–1000 ppm) was compared to that of 0.1% cypermethrin as a positive control and normal saline as a negative control. The bugs ( n = 25) were immersed for 20 min in the corresponding medium, dried with filter papers, and then incubated at 27–28°C and 70% RH with a 12:12 h light–dark photoperiod. The mortality rates were recorded at different time intervals (2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h post-incubation (hPI)), and the entire experiment was repeated five times. Image analysis showed round- to spherical-shaped CSN ranging in size from 34 to 72 nm. The mortality rates were positively associated with increasing concentrations of CSN. The mortality rate first reached 100% for concentrations of 800 ppm at 24 hPI and 1000 ppm at 12 hPI. The calculated LC50 was found at a concentration of 1165 ppm at 2 hPI, and the LC99 was found at a concentration of 1914 ppm at 2 hPI. The positive control, cypermethrin, induced 100% mortality among the bugs at 2 hPI, while the negative control caused no mortality. These results clearly show the potential of CSN as an insecticide against C. lectularius. Future studies on best practices for implementing these particles in clinical settings are recommended.