INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTERIC PATHOGENS
Year:2024 | Volume:12 | Issue:3|Papers Count:7

Background: The uncontrolled spread of antibiotic resistance and their low or no efficacy in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms has made it urgent to pay more attention to plants, as they are more available and safer natural agents. Curcuma longa, a medical spice, also known as turmeric, has been shown to have high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of the C. longa extract on six pathogenic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus mutans, and Clostridium difficile, and its positive impact on the growth of two selected probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the C. longa extract, the broth dilution method was used, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of six pathogenic strains underwent evaluation. The prebiotic effect of the extract on two types of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was also investigated in this study. Results: The results revealed that the C. longa extract had prebiotic properties that could improve the growth of L. plantarum and L. reuteri, and it strongly inhibited the growth of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, C. difficile, and S. mutans. Conclusion: In summary, the C. longa extract has antibacterial properties and prebiotic effects that enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, making C. longa a suitable candidate for the development of gastrointestinal health.

Background: Blastocystis sp. is among the most prevalent intestinal protozoan parasites in humans and animals, linked to a range of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. Traditional treatments, such as metronidazole, face limitations, including drug resistance and diminished effectiveness, underscoring the need for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have gained interest as alternative treatments due to their distinctive properties, such as small size, large surface area, and inherent antimicrobial activity. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of copper oxide (CuO), iron oxide (Fe3 O4 ), and magnesium oxide (MgO) NPs on the growth and proliferation of Blastocystis sp. in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, Blastocystis sp. cultures were treated with CuO, Fe3 O4, and MgO NPs at varying concentrations (400 µM, 200 µM, 100 µM, 50 µM, 25 µM, 12. 5 µM, and 6. 25 µM) to evaluate their impact on parasite proliferation and viability at 24 hours and 48 hours. Blastocystis sp. samples were identified through microscopic examination and staining tests, followed by calculating parasite inhibition rates and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was also performed to assess the cytotoxicity of these NPs on HT-29 cells, followed by the analysis of the selectivity index (SI). Results: Based on the results, NPs significantly suppressed Blastocystis sp. growth and proliferation at all tested concentrations, with inhibition rates increasing alongside NP concentration. Among the NPs, Fe3 O4 displayed the highest inhibitory impact on parasite growth. Additionally, a 48-hour exposure period resulted in a more pronounced decrease in parasite counts compared to the 24-hour exposure. The IC50 values for parasite lethality were determined to be 3. 71 µM and 0. 06 µM for CuO, 2. 87 µM and 5. 68 µM for MgO, and 8. 56 µM and 11. 44 µM for Fe3 O4 at 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Half-maximal cytotoxic concentration values for CuO, MgO, and Fe3 O4 were 16. 90 µM, 41. 49 µM, and 8. 01 µM, respectively. Based on the SI values (4. 55, 14. 45, and 0. 93 for CuO, MgO, and Fe3 O4, respectively), MgO emerged as the most favorable candidate due to its high selectivity and safety profile. Conclusion: The findings indicated that MgO NPs, based on their SI, present a promising alternative for inhibiting Blastocystis sp. This research underscores the potential of NPs as innovative therapeutic strategies for treating parasitic infections. However, to support these findings, further in vivo studies are necessary.

Background: Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, while being effective against toxoplasmosis, are limited by significant adverse effects. On the other hand, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone has been identified as a key bioactive compound. Moreover, studies on thymoquinone (TQ) have demonstrated its cytotoxic activity, inhibiting the growth of various cancer cell lines, including those of the ovary, prostate, colon, pancreas, osteosarcoma, and breast, as well as leukemia cells. This study sought to determine how TQ affected the tachyzoite type of Toxoplasma gondii. Materials and Methods: Different TQ concentrations (6. 25–400 µM) were prepared in microtiter plates for this experiment. The tachyzoite test was used to assess parasite mortality. Flow cytometry was performed to determine whether T. gondii tachyzoites underwent apoptosis. Specifically, 2×10^5 tachyzoites were exposed to TQ at concentrations of 50 µM, 100 µM, and 200 µM, following the kit’s instructions. Results: Light microscopy revealed that TQ had lethal and damaging effects on T. gondii. Based on 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, 400 µM of TQ exhibited the most toxic effects on macrophages. Furthermore, the MTT assay determined a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (CC50 ) for macrophages. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that the percentages of total apoptosis in parasites exposed to 50 µM, 100 µM, and 200 µM TQ were 51. 3%, 64. 9%, and 70. 8%, respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that TQ is toxic to T. gondii and induces apoptosis in this parasite. This work provides supporting evidence for the use of TQ in antiparasitic assays.

Campylobacter, a foodborne pathogen, is one of the most important bacterial agents causing human gastroenteritis. Although Guillain-Barré and other neuropathy syndromes have been observed after infection with microorganisms, most cases of these syndromes have occurred post-infection with Campylobacter bacteria. Campylobacter has several virulence factors, but those factors in the bacterial cell wall have the highest effect on causing neurological syndromes. Campylobacter mimics peripheral nerve gangliosides using virulence factors in its cell wall. For this reason, the immune system attacks bacteria and gangliosides as foreign agents and causes neurological diseases. Genetic and phenotype mechanisms are identified as the culprits behind these disorders, including lipooligosaccharide, capsular polysaccharides, phase variation, and protein glycosylation. Using these mechanisms, Campylobacter transforms into different phenotypes and genotypes, producing various virulence factors leading to neurological diseases.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia spp., intracellular protozoan parasites, represent significant etiologic agents of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised pediatric cancer patients. These pathogens cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms including persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss which may be fatal in advanced stages. In developing countries with suboptimal sanitation, co-infections exacerbate morbidity among children with cancer. With the global incidence of childhood cancer increasing, immunosuppressive chemotherapy markedly heightens susceptibility to these infections. This review evaluates their epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, and the pivotal role of early detection. The severity of infections hinges on immune competence, nutritional status, and parasite species. Although self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, these infections persist in immunocompromised children, precipitating dehydration, malnutrition, and delays in cancer therapy. Early diagnosis is imperative to mitigate complications and enhance outcomes through prompt supportive care and infection control measures. Diagnostic techniques, such as modified acid-fast staining for Cryptosporidium spp., modified trichrome staining for Microsporidia spp., and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), exhibit variable sensitivity; however, challenges in consistent detection and therapeutic resistance persist, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In such regions, low-cost diagnostics frequently fail to detect low burden infections, and treatment options beyond rehydration and nutritional support remain limited. Advances in molecular epidemiology have deepened insights into these infections, yet practical obstacles endure in pediatric oncology. Future investigations should prioritize the development of accessible high precision diagnostics such as next generation sequencing and targeted therapeutic strategies to reduce morbidity and improve survival and quality of life in this vulnerable cohort.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a significant health concern worldwide, and recent research has highlighted an intriguing association with Fusobacterium nucleatum. The prevalence of F. nucleatum in CRC tissues varies significantly across studies, with estimates ranging from 13% to 80%, complicating efforts to define the bacterium’s precise role in CRC development. Although the involvement of F. nucleatum in the initiation of CRC is still debated, there is a broad consensus regarding its role in cancer progression and metastasis. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of F. nucleatum-mediated carcinogenesis could provide new avenues for managing CRC. F. nucleatum significantly facilitates the growth of CRC via its FadA adhesion. It attaches to E-cadherin (CDH1) and activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Consequently, inflammatory genes, Wnt-related genes, and oncogenes, such as c-Myc and Cyclin D1 (CCND1), are overexpressed. Various preventive and therapeutic strategies against F. nucleatum in CRC have been investigated, including the Fn-AhpC recombinant protein vaccine in mice and the use of metronidazole to reduce intratumoral bacterial load. Additionally, bacteriophages and nanoparticles are emerging as potential therapeutic tools. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of F. nucleatum in CRC and to explore its potential as a target for novel therapeutic strategies.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the malignant proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Generally, it is a malignancy of older people, and its presentation before the age of 40 is rare. In addition, the incidence of MM during pregnancy is very rare. This case study reports a 38-year-old woman with a 1.5-year history of bone pain and diagnosis of immunoglobulin G and a kappa light-chain myeloma (Durie-Salmon stage IIIA, International Staging System III) and poor cytogenetic prognosis (del 11p, 46XX). The treatment plan included four courses of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone were planned as her treatment. At the end of the third course, it was revealed that she was in the 9th week of pregnancy, but her treatment continued as before because of refusing abortion and changing treatment modality. Despite continuing this treatment, a healthy boy was born without any malformations. Even in the next four-year follow-up, her son had normal growth and development. Regarding the contraindication of bortezomib during pregnancy, some data demonstrated that receiving bortezomib during pregnancy had no teratogenic effects on the fetus. This case study aimed to present this issue as well. Perhaps the declaration of bortezomib contraindication during pregnancy will become less in the