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Effect of nitazoxanide and spiramycin metronidazole combination in acute experimental toxoplasmosis.Heliyon Apr 2020Successful treatment of infection is difficult to attain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP), as the reference...
Successful treatment of infection is difficult to attain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP), as the reference drug, nitazoxanide (NTZ), spiramycin (SP) and SP-metronidazole against the virulent RH strain in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. One hundred Swiss albino mice were divided into control and experimental groups. Each mouse was infected with 2500 tachyzoites. Twenty infected untreated mice were used as control. The experimental group was subdivided into four subgroups (20 mice each); IIa SMZ-TMP, IIb NTZ, IIc SP and IId SP-metronidazole. All drugs were in tablet form, and were administered orally in suspension, for a period of seven days. Assessment of each drug efficacy was achieved through the study of mice survival time, mortality rate, parasite load, viability and morphological studies of tachyzoites by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The obtained results showed that SMZ-TMP, SP and SP-metronidazole were effective against acute murine toxoplasmosis and caused deformities in the tachyzoites ultrastructure. SP-metronidazole gave the best results on both mice survival rate and parasite load in the brain and liver. SMZ-TMP induced formation of prominent filaments extending from the deformed tachyzoites. NTZ showed little effect. In conclusion, all used drugs succeeded to prolong the survival time of the mice. SP-metronidazole gave the foremost effect on both mice survival rate and parasite load in the liver, spleen and brain. As this combination is nontoxic to human, it is promising for the treatment of human toxoplasmosis.
PubMed: 32322704
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03661 -
Biology Jul 2022Among many bovine species (spp.), is recognized as a significant causative agent of respiratory diseases in cattle. In recent years, resistant isolates, especially to...
Among many bovine species (spp.), is recognized as a significant causative agent of respiratory diseases in cattle. In recent years, resistant isolates, especially to fluoroquinolones, have been reported globally as a result of the extensive usage of antimicrobials in the treatment of bovine pneumonia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bovine spp. isolated from the respiratory tracts of cattle in Egypt and to assess the fluoroquinolones resistance in the recovered mycoplasma isolates via broth microdilution and conventional PCR techniques. Conventional phenotypic methods identified 128 mycoplasma isolates (32%) from 400 different samples, with being the predominant spp. (61%), followed by (15%). Of note, mycoplasma isolates were rarely isolated from total healthy lung tissues (7/55, 12.7%), but they were frequently isolated from pneumonic lungs (31/45, 68.9%). All the examined mycoplasma isolates ( = 76) were sensitive to tilmicosin, tylosin, tulathromycin, spiramycin, and spectinomycin (100% each), while 60.5% and 43.4% of the examined isolates had high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to enrofloxacin and doxycycline, respectively. Three and two mycoplasma isolates with high enrofloxacin MICs were confirmed to be and , respectively, by PCR assays. All molecularly confirmed mycoplasma isolates ( = 5) were positive for the gene (100%); meanwhile, three isolates (60%) were positive for the gene. In conclusion, our findings revealed alarming resistance to enrofloxacin and doxycycline antibiotics; thus, antimicrobial usage must be restricted and molecular techniques can help in the rapid detection of the resistant strains.
PubMed: 36101462
DOI: 10.3390/biology11071083 -
Current Pediatrics Reports 2022Review building of programs to eliminate infections. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Review building of programs to eliminate infections.
RECENT FINDINGS
Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work.
SUMMARY
Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed. Introduction provides an overview/review of programs in Panamá, the United States, and other countries. High prevalence/risk of exposure led to laws mandating testing in gestation, reporting, and development of broad-based teaching materials about These were tested for efficacy as learning tools for high-school students, pregnant women, medical students, physicians, scientists, public health officials and general public. Digitized, free, smart phone application effectively taught pregnant women about toxoplasmosis prevention. Perinatal infection care programs, identifying true regional risk factors, and point-of-care gestational screening facilitate prevention and care. When implemented fully across all demographics, such programs present opportunities to save lives, sight, and cognition with considerable spillover benefits for individuals and societies.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-022-00269-w.
PubMed: 36034212
DOI: 10.1007/s40124-022-00269-w -
Microorganisms Mar 2022Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health challenges of our time. We are now facing a post-antibiotic era in which microbial infections, currently treatable,...
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health challenges of our time. We are now facing a post-antibiotic era in which microbial infections, currently treatable, could become fatal. In this scenario, antimicrobial peptides such as bacteriocins represent an alternative solution to traditional antibiotics because they are produced by many organisms and can inhibit bacteria, fungi, and/or viruses. Herein, we assessed the antimicrobial activity and biotechnological potential of 54 strains isolated from bovine mastitis. Deferred plate antagonism assays revealed an inhibition spectrum focused on species of the genus -namely, , , , and . Three genomes were successfully sequenced, allowing for their taxonomic confirmation via a multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). Virulence potential and antibiotic resistance assessments showed that strain LGMAI_St_08 is slightly more pathogenic than the others. Moreover, the gene was identified in the three strains. This gene is associated with resistance against erythromycin, azithromycin, and spiramycin. Assessments for secondary metabolites and antimicrobial peptides detected the bacteriocin zoocin A. Finally, comparative genomics evidenced high similarity among the genomes, with more significant similarity between the LGMAI_St_11 and LGMAI_St_14 strains. Thus, the current study shows promising antimicrobial and biotechnological potential for the strains.
PubMed: 35336163
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030588 -
Pathogens and Global Health Oct 2023Toxoplasmosis is a frequent disease with an estimated prevalence of more than one billion human cases worldwide and over one million new infections each year. It is...
Toxoplasmosis is a frequent disease with an estimated prevalence of more than one billion human cases worldwide and over one million new infections each year. It is classified as a neglected tropical disease by the CDC since 2019. The disease may pass unnoticed in healthy individuals but could be fatal in the immunocompromised. Moreover, no effective treatment is available against the chronic form of the disease. Available anti- drugs are associated with many side effects. Therefore, search for new more reliable, more efficient, and less toxic therapeutic agents is a continuous endeavor. This study assesses the potential use of nitrofurantoin, a compound with well-established antimicrobial properties, as a potential anti- drug in vivo. It compares its efficacy to the commonly used anti- agent spiramycin by molecular and histopathological methods in acute and chronic infection. The results demonstrate a significant ability to eliminate the parasite ( < 0.001) whether used as mono- or combined therapy with spiramycin in the acute and chronic stages. When compared to the anti- drug spiramycin, nitrofurantoin achieved similar efficacy in the acute and chronic infection ( = 0.65 and = 0.096, respectively). However, better results were obtained when using a combination of both drugs ( < 0.001). Additionally, nitrofurantoin showed good inhibitory effects on the inflammatory process in the liver, kidney, and uterus of the experimentally infected animals. In conclusion, nitrofurantoin can be considered as a potential anti- agent. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended before consideration for clinical trials.
Topics: Female; Humans; Animals; Mice; Nitrofurantoin; Spiramycin; Persistent Infection; Disease Models, Animal; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma
PubMed: 37032491
DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2200577 -
Biodegradation Dec 2020Ivermectin (IVM) is a widely used antiparasitic agent and acaricide. Despite its high efficiency against nematodes and arthropods, IVM may pose a threat to the...
Ivermectin (IVM) is a widely used antiparasitic agent and acaricide. Despite its high efficiency against nematodes and arthropods, IVM may pose a threat to the environment due to its ecotoxcity. In this study, degradation of IVM by a newly isolated bacterium Aeromonas taiwanensis ZJB-18,044 was investigated. Strain ZJB-18,044 can completely degrade 50 mg/L IVM in 5 d with a biodegradation ability of 0.42 mg/L/h. Meanwhile, it exhibited high tolerance (50 mg/L) to doramectin, emamectin, rifampicin, and spiramycin. It can also efficiently degrade doramectin, emamectin, and spiramycin. The IVM degradation of strain ZJB-18,044 can be inhibited by erythromycin, azithromycin, spiramycin or rifampicin. However, supplement of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, can partially recover the IVM degradation. Moreover, strain ZJB-18,044 cells can pump out excess IVM to maintain a low intracellular IVM concentration. Therefore, the IVM tolerance of strain ZJB-18,044 may be due to the regulation of the intracellular IVM concentration by the activated macrolide efflux pump(s). With the high IVM degradation efficiency, A. taiwanensis ZJB-18,044 may serve as a bioremediation agent for IVM and other macrolides in the environment.
Topics: Aeromonas; Antiparasitic Agents; Biodegradation, Environmental; Ivermectin
PubMed: 32936376
DOI: 10.1007/s10532-020-09909-8 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022() is an opportunistic parasite that causes serious diseases in humans, particularly immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. To date, there are limited...
() is an opportunistic parasite that causes serious diseases in humans, particularly immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. To date, there are limited numbers of therapeutics for chronic toxoplasmosis which necessitate the discovery of effective and safe therapeutics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antitoxoplasmosis potential of ginger extract in mice with experimentally induced chronic toxoplasmosis. Treatment with ginger extract significantly reduced cysts count in the brains of -infected mice with a marked alleviation of edema and inflammation, and a reversal of neuronal injury. Moreover, ginger extract treatment reduced inflammation in liver and lungs and protected hepatocytes from infection-induced degeneration. Consistently, apoptosis was significantly mitigated in the brains of ginger extract-treated mice compared to infected untreated animals or spiramycin-treated animals. Four groups of Swiss albino mice (10 mice each) were used. The first group was not infected, whereas 3 groups were infected with Me49 strains. One infected group remained untreated (infected untreated), whereas the other two infected groups were treated with either ginger extract (250 mg/kg) or spiramycin (positive control; 100 mg/kg), respectively. The therapeutic potential of ginger extract was evaluated by calculation of the parasite burden in infected animals, and examination of the infected tissues for reduced pathologic changes. Our results showed for the first time that ginger extract exhibited marked therapeutic effects in mice with chronic infection which indicates that it can be used as a safe and effective treatment for chronic toxoplasmosis.
PubMed: 35890042
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070798 -
RSC Advances Jun 2022Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) is an accurate and specific technique for drug residue analysis in different matrices. The high specificity and...
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) is an accurate and specific technique for drug residue analysis in different matrices. The high specificity and sensitivity of the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach for detecting drugs such as aldehydes, which have the potential to change mass during the sample preparation phase, becomes a drawback during the analysis process. In this study, concerns about the intrusion of solvent molecules into spiramycin's chemical structure as an aldehydic drug as well as the stability of spiramycin in the milk matrix were addressed. Furthermore, the binding sites where the solvent molecules could bind to spiramycin molecules were investigated through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It was revealed that water, ethanol, and methanol as protic solvents can add to the formyl group of spiramycin molecules during standard solutions preparation while there was no evidence for the addition of acetonitrile and dimethyl sulfoxide (aprotic solvents). In addition, as time passed, the peak area of spiramycin decreased either in the spiked aqueous sample or milk sample while an increase in the peak area of HO-bound spiramycin was observed. After 96 h, more than 90% of spiramycin was converted to HO-bound spiramycin. In conclusion, we can propose the use of aprotic solvents for the preparation of spiramycin standard solutions especially when the prepared solutions are not used instantly. Moreover, ion transitions for both spiramycin and its HO-added form (843.6 / to 173.9 / and 861.5 / to 173.9 /, respectively) should be considered for the accurate quantification of spiramycin residue in aqueous samples such as milk.
PubMed: 35755590
DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00205a -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023Therapeutic regimens for the treatment of toxoplasmosis are not standardized. Treatment strategy mainly at the end of the second and the beginning of the third...
Comparison of adverse reactions of spiramycin versus pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine treatment of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: is spiramycin really the drug of choice for unproven infection of the fetus?
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic regimens for the treatment of toxoplasmosis are not standardized. Treatment strategy mainly at the end of the second and the beginning of the third trimester, especially in cases of negative prenatal diagnosis, is the least uniform. In some situations, the choice of treatment may be ambiguous, and adverse drug reactions of the therapy should be taken into consideration.
METHODS
Adverse drug reactions of anti-toxoplasma therapy with spiramycin ( = 77) versus pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine ( = 35) were compared in 112 pregnant women.
RESULTS
Up to 36.6% of women reported adverse reactions to the treatment overall ( = 41). Out of those 38.9% ( = 30) were treated with spiramycin and 31.4% ( = 11) with pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine. Toxic allergic reactions were the only indication for discontinuation of treatment in 8.9% of patients ( = 10), where 9.1% ( = 7) were reported in spiramycin and 8.6% ( = 3) in pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine cohort. Neurotoxic complications (acral paraesthesia) were significantly more frequent during the therapy with spiramycine in 19.5% ( = 15) compared to no cases in pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine group ( = .003). Other adverse drug reactions, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nephrotoxicity, vaginal discomfort were reported, but the differences between the cohorts were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The superiority of one of the therapeutic regimens was not statistically demonstrated, since the differences in overall toxicity or incidence of toxic allergic reactions between the cohorts were not confirmed ( = .53 and = 1.00, respectively). However, although the isolated neurotoxicity of spiramycin was the only significant adverse reaction demonstrated in this study, pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine therapy should be preferred, because it is known to be more effective and with limited adverse reactions.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Spiramycin; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fetus; Hypersensitivity; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital
PubMed: 37217458
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2215377 -
ACS Omega Apr 2023Recent studies have shown that plastic particles can sorb antibiotics, and these sorption properties have been examined in various studies; however, the possible...
Recent studies have shown that plastic particles can sorb antibiotics, and these sorption properties have been examined in various studies; however, the possible mechanism responsible for the interactions requires a deeper investigation in terms of further interaction with living systems. Moreover, the usage of disposable surgical masks and plastic bottles has increased the plastic pollution risk for living systems like humans. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the sorption characteristics between antibiotics (amoxicillin and spiramycin) and plastic particles from surgical masks and plastic bottles through batch sorption experiments. In the study, their surface interactions were characterized using multispectroscopic approaches including FTIR, Raman spectrometry, and SEM-EDX, and various surface indicators (e.g., surface oxidation, deformation, and biological potential) were examined. The sorption results showed that adsorption kinetics and the isotherm of amoxicillin and spiramycin on micro(nano)plastics from surgical masks and plastic bottles closely fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmiur isotherm. These results indicated that the evidence for the antibiotic interaction with particles was changes in the surface functional group intensities and up-shifting, and this correlated with the sorption of antibiotics on micro(nano)-sized plastics. The C/N ratio of the plastic particles before and after antibiotic treatment was used as an indicator for the surface biological interaction, and the results showed that C/N ratios of surgical mask particles increased with both types of antibiotic sorption. However, the C/N of the particles from plastic bottles showed antibiotic type-dependence. The surface deformation indicators (e.g., O/C, C=O, C=C, and O-H indices) showed that the O/C ratios of micro(nano)plastics from surgical masks were higher with the amoxicillin and spiramycin sorption, and the C=O indices were positively linked with the amoxicillin sorption stages, whereas the C=C and O-H had a negative correlation with the amoxicillin sorption stages. Moreover, amoxicillin sorption influenced the O/C ratio and indices of O-H and C=C of micro(nano)plastics from plastic bottles in a limited manner. The C=O groups of the micro(nano)plastics from plastic bottles were positively influenced by the spiramycin sorption stages, whereas it was negatively linked with amoxicillin sorption stages. Overall, the findings from surface indicators indicated that the micro(nano)plastics from surgical masks can be more influenced with antibiotic sorption compared to plastic bottles.
PubMed: 37065040
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07927