Chitosan and silver nanoparticles: promising anti-toxoplasma agents.

Autor: Gaafar MR; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt. Electronic address: drmahagaafar@yahoo.com., Mady RF; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt., Diab RG; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt., Shalaby TI; Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Experimental parasitology [Exp Parasitol] 2014 Aug; Vol. 143, pp. 30-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 May 19.
DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.05.005
Abstrakt: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which is Toxoplasma gondii. Chitosan and silver nanoparticles were synthesized to be evaluated singly or combined for their anti-toxoplasma effects as prophylaxis and as treatment in the experimental animals. Results were assessed through studying the parasite density and the ultrastructural parasite changes, and estimation of serum gamma interferon. Weight of tissue silver was assessed in different organs. Results showed that silver nanoparticles used singly or combined with chitosan have promising anti-toxoplasma potentials. The animals that received these compounds showed statistically significant decrease in the mean number of the parasite count in the liver and the spleen, when compared to the corresponding control group. Light microscopic examination of the peritoneal exudates of animals receiving these compounds showed stoppage of movement and deformity in shape of the tachyzoites, whereas, by scanning electron microscope, the organisms were mutilated. Moreover, gamma interferon was increased in the serum of animals receiving these compounds. All values of silver detected in different tissues were within the safe range. Thus, these nanoparticles proved their effectiveness against the experimental Toxoplasma infection.
(Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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