Goats play a significant role in farming communities in semi-arid tropical areas with limited cropping capacity; however, production is limited by endoparasites, especially gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Control of GINs is typically mediated by anthelmintic drugs, but can be costly or ineffective where anthelmintic-resistant GINs are present. To manage anthelmintic resistance and improve herd health at lower costs, farmers can implement Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) strategies to treat animals based on performance or health traits. The study aimed to quantify the impacts of plant-based interventions on goat health, nutrition, and parasite infections when applied in a targeted selective feeding regime under an arid environment. Here we trialled a farmer-led TST scheme using a worm diagnostic tool for sheep and goats based on checking five points on the animal body; nose (purulent discharge), eye (colour of the conjunctivae), jaw (subcutaneous pitting oedema), back (body scoring condition, and tail (mild to severe diarrhoea). This method, termed the Five Point Check or FAMACHA, was used to periodically measure goat health, with anthelmintic interventions provided only to individuals in poor condition. In addition to TST with anthelmintic, a plant-TST was trialled on 50% of the farms where goats in borderline or poor condition were supplemented with local bioactive plants (Viscum rotundifolium L. or Terminalia sericea). Plant-TST treatment significantly reduced worm burden (P < 0.001) from a mean of 485 EPG pre-treatment to 269 EPG post-treatment, with 75% of goats having a FEC of ≤ 400 EPG. Further, goats under plant-TST had significantly improved health outcomes (p < 0.001 FAMACHA scores) compared to TST-anthelmintic. Goats under plant-TST were 46.6% less likely to require any anthelmintic treatment. Plant- and anthelmintic-TST had a similar FEC reduction (55.5% and 52.5%, respectively). Plant-TST offers a low-resource means to sustainably manage GINs in in goats in semi-arid conditions.

Acetazolamide as a novel therapeutic agent against acute experimental toxoplasmosis: Insights into carbonic anhydrase inhibition.

A novel graphene oxide-niclosamide hybrid as a potent antiviral agent against dengue virus serotype 3.

Occurrence and ecological risk of antiparasitic drugs in the Lhasa River on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease directly related to poor sanitation. In Brazil, 42 million people live in areas where the disease is endemic, and it is still considered a serious public health problem. The kidney is one of the organs typically affected by this worm, with descriptions of renal tubular alterations, acute kidney injury and glomerular diseases. Among patients with active schistosomiasis, the incidence of glomerulopathy is 5-6% overall and 15% in those with the hepatosplenic form with the most commonly described histological patterns being membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Although the pathogenesis of glomerular disease associated with schistosomiasis is uncertain, it is thought to involve immune complexes, especially in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, formed against a schistosome antigen and deposited in the glomeruli. The uncertain pathogenesis makes schistosomiasis treatment a challenge, as eradicating the parasite through the use of an anti-parasitic agent does not stop the progression to chronic kidney disease, raising questions about the need for immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, the aim of this review was to describe the so-called classic information on glomerular disease associated with schistosomiasis and to explore its probable pathogenic mechanisms in order to promote future discussion on the development of better treatment options.

Background: Tubulin plays a pivotal role in cell division and other essential cellular processes, making it a key pharmacological target for cancer therapy, antiparasitic treatments, and neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous compounds have been developed to regulate microtubule polymerization through tubulin binding; however, most have shown significant limitations, including adverse side effects, poor bioavailability and limited specificity. In recent years, peptide-based therapies have gained considerable attention, particularly for their ability to modulate protein-protein interaction while offering improved selectivity and safety profiles. Methods: In this study, we employed an integrated computational-experimental approach combining molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-GBSA free energy calculations to design and evaluate 14 peptides derived from the αβ-tubulin dimer interface. Results: The peptide NH2-P14-COOH emerged as the most promising candidate, displaying the stronger inhibition of tubulin polymerization activity (IC50 = 11.24 ± 3.82 μM), selective cytotoxicity against NCI-H1299 lung carcinoma cells (IC50 = 45.64 ± 3.20 μM), and no significant toxicity toward non-cancerous EA.hy926 endothelial cells (IC50 > 100 μM). Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that NH2-P14-COOH induces apoptosis, supporting a mechanism of action based on microtubule disruption. Conclusions: These findings highlight NH2-P14-COOH as a selective antimitotic peptide with a favorable therapeutic index and demonstrate the potential of structure-guided peptide design for the development of novel microtubule-targeting agents with reduced off-target toxicity.

Parasitic diseases impose a substantial global health burden due to the widespread transmission and diversity of protozoa and helminths, which cause numerous infections and regional outbreaks. Despite the availability of various antiparasitic drugs, their clinical utility is often constrained by high cost, toxicity, severe side effects, and the growing threat of drug resistance. Combination therapy, designed to enhance efficacy through synergistic effects while reducing toxicity, represents a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes for parasitic diseases. In this work, we propose MetaSynMT, a novel multi-task learning framework designed to predict synergistic and safe drug combinations, with a specific focus on parasitic diseases. The model integrates a meta-path aggregation mechanism to capture both structural and high-order semantic features of drugs. Alongside the primary task of synergy prediction, we introduce a secondary task of side effect prediction, enabling the joint identification of combinations with high synergy and low toxicity. Experimental results demonstrate that MetaSynMT outperforms several state-of-the-art baselines on parasitic disease dataset and exhibits strong generalization capability across diverse real-world settings. Furthermore, based on MetaSynMT's predictions, we identified allicin and sodium stibogluconate as a promising combination therapy for echinococcosis. In vitro protoscolex culture experiments showed that the combination achieved a 100% inhibition rate at concentrations of 850 μM allicin and 36.3 μM sodium stibogluconate, significantly surpassing monotherapies. Overall, this work provides a novel computational tool and theoretical foundation for optimizing antiparasitic drug combinations and discovering potential therapeutic strategies.

The growing trend of Leishmania major (L. major) infections around the world has raised global concerns due to the lack of efficient vaccines and antiparasitic drugs. In addition, the drug resistance crisis and side effects of chemotherapy remain to be addressed. In the present study, the designed multi-epitope lentiviral vaccine from Leish-F1 (consisting of TSA, Leif, LmSTI1 proteins) was produced. For this purpose, multi-epitope construct was sub-cloned into the pCDH513 lentiviral vector, previously designed in silico. Subsequently, to produce a recombinant lentivirus, PCDH513B-Leish-F1 vector was co-transfected with packaging vectors into HEK293T cells. In order to confirm the gene expression, Western blot technique was performed. Finally, to evaluate the immune responses, the vaccine containing Leish-F1 selected epitopes, and two control groups, phosphate-buffered saline and lentivirus without multiepitope, were injected twice into the Balb/c mice. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method deciphered that the vaccinated group had a higher level of IFN (interferon)-γ and IL (interleukin)-4 levels compared to control groups (p < 0.05). Also, the IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies showed a significant increase in the main groups (p < 0.05). The results revealed that the immunization of the Balb/c mice using a multi-epitope lentiviral vaccine led to the stimulation of humoral and cellular responses.

Accurate anthropometric data is essential for assessing nutritional status. To ensure data quality, careful planning of instruments, training and supervision of enumerators are mandatory. In Ethiopia, where malnutrition rates are high, investigating the methodological quality of anthropometric measurements in primary studies is crucial for ensuring the credibility of reports. Therefore, this review assesses the reporting characteristics and methodological quality of anthropometric measurements in primary studies conducted in Ethiopia, focusing on the nutritional status of school children. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted to include primary studies that reported on children's growth from Medline, AJOL, Embase, and CINAHL. Additional sources, such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Addis Ababa, and Jimma University's repositories were also accessed. Studies whose primary objective was to evaluate the nutritional status of children using anthropometric measurements were included in the review. The results were organized in EndNote, screened in Covidence, extracted in Excel and analyzed in Stata. Of the 678 retrieved records, 30 (n = 18,059) studies were included in the review. The studies used different exclusion criteria: 14 (46.7%) excluded children with physical deformities, seven (23.3%) excluded children who received anti-parasitic treatment within a specified time and four (13.3%) excluded children who were taking nutritional supplements. About 22 (73.3%) studies did not mention standardization, while 17 (56.7%) did not mention the calibration of instruments. Furthermore, about 12 (40%) studies did not report the setting where the measurements were obtained. Inconsistencies in reporting key methodological details of anthropometric measurements were identified, highlighting a potential gap or loose interpretations of the STROBE-nut reporting checklist for studies that measure anthropometry to assess the nutritional status of children. Therefore, we recommend strengthening the STROBE-nut by giving emphasis to the quality assurance aspect of anthropometric measurements including standardization, calibration, material, setting, number of measurements taken and measurer qualifications.

Malaria and leishmaniasis remain major global health challenges, exacerbated by increasing resistance to current antiparasitic drugs. Medicinal plants such as Rhaponticum repens and Achillea millefolium represent potential sources of new antiparasitic compounds, although their activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania major remains insufficiently validated. To evaluate the in vitro antiparasitic activity, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical composition of methanolic extracts of R. repens and A. millefolium against P. falciparum and L. major clinical isolates. Methanolic extracts were tested in vitro against P. falciparum and L. major. Antiparasitic activity was assessed using JC-1 fluorescent dye staining followed by fluorescence quantification and flow cytometry, with chloroquine and amphotericin B as positive controls. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on Vero cells using the MTT assay. Phytochemical profiling was performed by GC-MS. IC₅₀ values and selectivity indices were calculated from triplicate experiments. Both extracts exhibited significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of parasite viability. R. repens showed higher activity against L. major (81% inhibition at 2.0 mg/mL, IC₅₀ = 1.18 mg/mL; SI = 10.6), whereas A. millefolium was more effective against P. falciparum (94% inhibition at 2.0 mg/mL, IC₅₀ = 0.52 mg/mL; SI = 26.3). Cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells was low. GC-MS analysis identified nonadecane and docosane as major constituents. Methanolic extracts of R. repens and A. millefolium demonstrate promising in vitro antiparasitic activity with acceptable safety profiles. These findings support their potential as leads for natural product-based antiparasitic drug discovery and provide a basis for future bio-guided fractionation studies.

Background Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis) is a common parasitic infection in children and is frequently identified incidentally in appendicectomy specimens. Its role in the pathogenesis of acute appendicitis remains controversial, with many cases demonstrating minimal or no appendiceal inflammation. Australian data describing the prevalence and clinical significance of E. vermicularis in paediatric appendicitis are limited. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of all patients aged <16 years who underwent appendicectomy at Cairns Hospital, a regional tertiary centre in Far North Queensland (FNQ), between January 2020 and December 2024. Demographic data, laboratory markers (white cell count {WCC} and C-reactive protein {CRP}), intraoperative findingsand histopathology were extracted from electronic medical records. Intraoperative severity was graded using a four-level classification. Statistical analyses compared clinical and pathological features of E. vermicularis-positive cases. Results A total of 455 paediatric appendicectomies were performed during the study period. Of these patients, 370 cases (81%) had a positive histopathology for acute appendicitis.Enterobius vermicularis was identified in 45 specimens (9.9%). Among E. vermicularis-positive cases, 17 cases (37.8%) had a macroscopically normal appendix intraoperatively, and uncomplicated appendicitis was the most common operative impression (25 cases, 55.6%). Histopathology demonstrated acute inflammatory appendicitis in 19 out of 45 cases (42%) of E. vermicularis-positive specimens, while the remainder of the specimens were completely normal. Leucocytosis was present in 17 (37.8%) out of 45 cases, and C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in 26 (60.4%)cases, with CRP results unavailable for two patients. Conclusion Enterobius vermicularis was identified in approximately one in 10 paediatric appendicectomy specimens in Far North Queensland, a prevalence higher than that reported in most contemporary cohorts. The majority of E. vermicularis-positive cases lacked histological evidence of acute appendicitis, supporting the concept of appendiceal colic mimicking appendicitis. The routine postoperative review of histopathology is essential to ensure appropriate antiparasitic treatment and household management. The increased clinical awareness of parasitic mimics may help inform diagnostic decision-makingand, if accompanied by appropriate blood tests and imaging, can reduce unnecessary surgery in selected low-risk children.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic protozoa causing Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), an ocular infection frequently associated with contact lens use. Given the limitations and adverse effects of current treatments, this study aimed to discover natural, safe, and cost-effective therapeutic alternatives. Specifically, the purpose was to investigate the in vitro amoebicidal and antioxidant activities of methanol and water extracts from three varieties of Helianthemum ledifolium (L.) Mill.. Method: The study evaluated methanol and water extracts obtained from the aerial parts of three H. ledifolium varieties (H. ledifolium var. ledifolium, H. ledifolium var. microcarpum, and H. ledifolium var. lasiocarpum). Amoebicidal activity was tested in vitro against Acanthamoeba castellanii. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by measuring radical scavenging activities using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) assays. Findings: The amoebicidal activity against Acanthamoeba castellanii showed a dose- and time-dependent effect. Methanol extracts exhibited superior amoebicidal potency compared to water extracts, even at lower concentrations, and also had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents in relation to antioxidant radical scavenging activities. The most toxic effect was observed in the H. ledifolium var. lasiocarpum methanol extract, with an LD50 of 0.0034 mg/mL at 72 hours. The H. ledifolium var. microcarpum water extract exhibited the fastest effect LT50 = 0.5603 hours. Conclusion: These results suggest that H. ledifolium species represent promising candidates for the development of natural antiparasitic agents. The superior anti-Acanthamoeba activity of methanol extracts is strongly related to their significantly richer total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to aqueous extracts, indicating that methanol is a much more effective solvent for obtaining potential bioactive compounds. H. ledifolium taxa have the potential to be an important natural resource for future antiparasitic drug research, especially in the context of increasing drug resistance and treatment failure.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) pose a significant challenge in tumor treatment due to their ability to remain quiescent during therapy and thus evade chemo- and radio-therapy. In addition, their ability to initiate tumor formation from a single cell is another essential factor to consider when developing a strategy to eradicate CSCs. Given that developing novel drugs is a time-consuming and costly process, drug repurposing has become an increasingly utilized and appealing alternative in recent research. Drug repurposing involves testing existing medications that have already completed substantial portions of drug development for the treatment of new medical conditions. Artificial intelligence tools can assist in this process. This review presents a series of compounds, initially developed for a wide range of conditions, including antidiabetic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and antiparasitic drugs, that can be repurposed as targeted therapies for CSCs. Metformin and doxycycline have also been evaluated in clinical studies targeting CSCs. Furthermore, novel artificial intelligence tools will be vital for predicting the potential of repurposed drugs before in vitro and in vivo testing.

Background: Pentamidine isethionate (PTM) and miltefosine (MF) are clinically relevant antiparasitic agents whose use is limited by toxicity, emerging resistance, and the lack of effective co-delivery strategies. Tetronic® 1307 (T1307), an amphiphilic and thermoresponsive block copolymer, was investigated as a carrier to enable their combination therapy. Methods: PTM and MF were formulated in T1307-based micelles and thermoresponsive gels. The systems were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Antiparasitic activity was evaluated against Leishmania major promastigotes. Results: MF formed stable micelles that efficiently incorporated PTM, generating a "drug-in-drug" architecture. While T1307 alone showed limited PTM loading, MF promoted mixed micelle formation and enhanced PTM incorporation. At physiological temperature and adequate copolymer concentrations, drug-loaded micelles formed thermoreversible gels suitable for topical application. The combined formulations preserved drug activity and exhibited synergistic effects against L. major.Conclusions: T1307 is a promising platform for the co-delivery of PTM and MF, enabling synergistic combination therapy and thermoresponsive gel formation with potential to reduce systemic toxicity and improve treatment administration.

Some gastrointestinal (GI) protozoa and helminths in cats are clinically significant and pose zoonotic risks. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in owned and stray cats in Eryaman, Ankara, and to evaluate associated epidemiological and clinical factors. Fecal samples from 100 cats (48 owned, 52 stray) brought to a private veterinary clinic in Eryaman, Ankara, were examined. Descriptive, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. Macroscopic examination was performed for adult helminths and cestode segments, and samples were transferred to Selcuk University Parasitology Laboratory for further analysis. Fulleborn flotation, Benedek sedimentation, and Baerman-Wetzell techniques were used. GI parasites were detected in 62% of cats. Helminths included Toxocara spp. (20%), Joyeuxiella spp. (1%), and Fasciola spp. (1%); protozoa included Giardia spp. (47%) and Cystoisospora spp. (10%). Among infected cats, 77% had mono-infections, 20% dual, and 3% triple co-infections. Prevalence was 58.3% in owned cats and 65.3% in stray cats, with no statistically significant difference (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Age and gender were also not statistically associated with infection rates (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Due to the close contact between cats and humans, these findings highlight a public health concern. Regular veterinary check-ups and antiparasitic treatments are strongly advised to reduce transmission risks.

Aging is a multifactorial biological process that leads to the gradual decline of physiological functions, contributing to the onset of age-related diseases. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is an FDA-approved antiparasitic drug with anti-senescence effects. However, its anti-aging effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the anti-aging effects of NTZ in Caenorhabditis elegans and in a D-galactose (D-Gal)-induced accelerated aging mouse model. In C. elegans, NTZ treatment significantly extended both lifespan and healthspan, as demonstrated by reduced lipofuscin accumulation, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and improved locomotor activity. In the D-Gal mouse model, NTZ treatment ameliorated cognitive and physical decline, improved skin tissue integrity, and protected hippocampal neurons from degeneration. Computational target prediction and pathway analysis identified 122 potential anti-aging targets of NTZ. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that NTZ targets the PI3K signaling pathway, a key regulator of aging, and identifies PI3K p110 catalytic isoform as a central hub in this cascade, confirming its pivotal role in NTZ-mediated anti-aging effects. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations further validated the stable binding of NTZ to PI3K p110 catalytic isoforms, demonstrating a high-affinity interaction that disrupts PI3K signaling. Together, these findings provide molecular evidence supporting NTZ as a promising candidate for anti-aging therapy, with potential applications in age-related diseases.

Evaluation of the ivermectin effects on porcine granulosa cell function.

The intensification of commercial chicken production has increased antimicrobial use and manure generation, raising concerns about residues and resistant pathogens entering the environment. Use of raw chicken manure can introduce antimicrobial compounds and resistance determinants into agricultural soils. This study examined antimicrobial use and manure management practices among chicken farmers in Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, and Unguja, and identified key gaps in national regulatory frameworks and their on-farm implementation. A structured questionnaire was administered to 351 farmers to assess the types and usage of antimicrobials and manure handling practices. Farmers reported using fourteen antibiotic classes and four antiparasitic agents, with tetracycline being the most frequently used (54.1%). Most farmers in Unguja (97.7%), Dar es Salaam (87.3%), and Morogoro (70.9%) either apply manure as fertilizer, sell it, or both. A large proportion (93.2%) reported that they do not process manure before use or sale, mainly due to lack of technical knowledge (77.4%). Awareness of the health hazards posed by pathogens (43.3%) and drug residues (57.5%) is low. This study revealed critical gaps, including weak regulatory enforcement, inadequate surveillance systems, limited cross-sectoral integration, irrational antimicrobial use, and limited farmer awareness. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving farmer training, and promoting safer manure management methods are recommended to reduce the environmental dissemination of antimicrobial residues and resistance.

Intracranial infections remain a major neurocritical care challenge, causing high mortality and long-term deficits despite advances in antimicrobials, imaging, and intensive care. Because bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens trigger distinct immune pathways, they produce characteristic CSF leukocyte patterns shaped by pathogen sensing, endothelial adhesion molecule expression, chemokine gradients, and leukocyte migration across CNS barriers. Pleocytosis therefore reflects PRR activation and tends toward neutrophil, lymphocyte, or monocyte-macrophage predominance. Notably, promptly distinguishing infectious encephalitis (IE) from autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is crucial. Specifically, bacterial infections usually create neutrophil-predominant CSF via IL-1β, TNF-α, and G-CSF, whereas viral infections such as HSV and VZV promote lymphocytic profiles through interferons and CXCR3 ligands. Fungal pathogens (Cryptococcus, Candida, Aspergillus) and mycobacteria often produce mixed or mononuclear pleocytosis due to chronic antigen exposure. These patterns guide therapy: bacterial infections require immediate empiric antibiotics with corticosteroids; HSV and VZV encephalitis needs urgent IV acyclovir; enteroviruses and arboviruses rely on supportive care; and fungal infections require staged antifungal therapy with monitoring of CNS penetration, organ function, and intracranial pressure. Parasitic and amoebic infections such as Naegleria fowleri demand individualized antiparasitic treatment, corticosteroids, seizure control, and intensive supportive care. Because CSF leukocytes also influence barrier integrity, neuronal survival, and glial activation, advanced profiling-combining CSF leukocyte phenotyping with cytokine and chemokine analysis-enhances differentiation between IE and AE and supports more targeted treatment. This review elucidates the role of CSF leukocytes in CNS infections, highlighting their diagnostic, mechanistic, and therapeutic significance for guiding precision neurocritical care. Pathogens in CSF create distinct leukocyte patterns via PRR-PAMP signaling and chemokine-driven trafficking. Bacteria cause neutrophil-rich IL-1β/TNF-α responses; viruses (HSV/VZV) produce lymphocyte-dominant interferon profiles; and fungal or mycobacterial infections show mixed or granulomatous patterns. These signatures affect BBB integrity and help distinguish infections from autoimmune encephalitis.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) pose a serious global health threat due to the ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. This study explores the potential of nitazoxanide (NTZ), a clinically approved broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug, functionalized onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as an antibacterial approach against CRE. NTZ_AuNPs were synthesized using a one-pot method, and their antibacterial efficacy was assessed through antimicrobial susceptibility testing, bacterial growth analysis, and electron microscopy. Biosafety was evaluated through hemolysis assays and in vivo murine models. The NTZ_AuNPs showed significant bactericidal activity against CRE, with MICs ranging from 4 to 8 μg/mL, and exhibited favorable biocompatibility. Mechanistic investigations revealed that NTZ_AuNPs disrupt bacterial membranes, enhance outer membrane permeability, and infiltrate the intracellular environment. Additionally, NTZ_AuNPs increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and impair bacterial ATP synthesis, suggesting a dual mechanism involving membrane disruption and oxidative stress. In a mouse model of abdominal infection, NTZ_AuNPs reduced bacterial burden and improved survival rates. These results validate the potential of NTZ_AuNPs as an effective, low-toxicity treatment for CRE infections, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.