Sadiya Aziz Anah

The current study aimed to determine the effect of silver and chitosan nanoparticles of size 10 to 30 nm on the dead of lice in vitro and in vivo to determine the optimal time and concentration to combat chicken lice. One hundred local chickens Gallus gallus domesticus were collected from Al-Diwaniyah province and 6 species of local chicken lice were isolated: Menacanthus stramineus, Menacanthus pallidullus, Menacanthus cornutus, Goniodes gigas, Cuclotogaster heterographus and Bonomiella columbae. The results of treating lice with chitosan and silver nanoparticles at concentrations (40, 60, and 80 mg/mL) in vitro and at different periods (5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes) after treatment showed that chitosan and silver nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/mL are the most effective in killing lice. The dead rate of lice reached 100% after 15 minutes of treatment with chitosan nanoparticles and 100% in the case of silver nanoparticles after 30 minutes. The results of spraying chitosan and silver nanoparticles on the body of chickens infected with lice experimentally, based on the relative therapeutic efficacy within 30 minutes, indicated that silver nanoparticles were the most effective in completely killing lice in the group treated with a concentration of 80 mg/kg after 30 minutes, where the percentage of therapeutic efficacy was 96.7%. This was followed by chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/kg, and the percentage of therapeutic efficiency was 91.5%. Chitosan and silver nanocomposite have a promising effect in the elimination of lice infestation in chickens.

Amoebiasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), affecting various hosts, such as humans, birds, and pigs. This study aimed to investigate Entamoeba spp. in monkeys (Macaca spp.) diagnose them using molecular methods. A total of 33 fecal samples were collected from monkeys (Macaca spp.) aged 3-5 years in Babylon province to investigate a common and zoonotic parasitic disease. Initially, microscopic examination was conducted on all samples, and those yielding positive results were preserved for molecular study. The DNA was extracted, and conventional PCR was carried out with a pair of primers to detect the 857 bp fragment of E. histolytica SSU rRNA gene. PCR results for 19 fecal samples, previously identified as positive by the direct smear method, from monkeys in the reserves of Babylon province indicated that the presence of the SSUrRNA gene with an 857 bp was 45% in only 15 samples. Sequencing of the SSUrRNA gene revealed 98-100% similarity with E.histolytica sequences deposited in International GenBank, which have the sequence numbers OP522013, OP522014, OP522015, OP522016, OP522017, Op626161, Op626162, Op626163, Op626164, and Op626165

Many scolicidal agents have been used to destroy fertile protoscolices, but these scolicidal agents have side effects, highlighting the need for research on effective and non-toxic replacement scolicidal agents. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are biocompatible and non-toxic. The current study examined the effects of AuNPs in killing the protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus in vitro using eosin staining. The protoscolices were treated with 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, or 1.0 mg/mL of AuNPs for 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes. A concentration of 1.0 mg/mL was the most efficient in killing the protoscolices after 60 minutes exposure, reaching 96%, followed by 0.8 mg/mL (84.5%), whereas 0.4 and 0.2 mg/mL of AuNPs achieved a death rate of 76.8% and 68.5%, respectively. The loss of the protoscolices was lower at shorter exposure times with the same concentration of AuNPs and increased as the AuNP concentration was increased at the same exposure time. Significant differences were found between the different groups compared to the control group.

The increasing resistance of arthropods to many insecticides has encouraged researchers to search for new alternatives to combat harmful insects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of silica nanoparticles (NPs) on Ctenocephalides felis (C. felis), a prevalent species among cats and a known vector for diseases. The killing efficacy of SiO2-NPs against C. felis was tested at three different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) over three different time intervals (10, 20, and 40 minutes), alongside positive and negative control groups (distilled water and cypermethrin). The results of the current study indicated that all concentrations had a fleacidal effect, with SiO2-NPs demonstrating increased efficacy with higher concentrations and longer exposure periods. The concentration of 150 mg/mL of SiO2-NPs led to the highest effect at 96% upon exposure for 40 minutes. The results of the current study revealed significant differences between the control groups and all the groups treated with Sio2-NP concentrations. It can be concluded that Sio2-NPs are a practical approach to flea control although it is necessary to search for environmentally friendly pesticides. The current results indicate that SiO2-NPs have anti-parasitic effects against C. felis.

In the study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNOPs) at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg were tested for their antimicrobial action against the oocysts of Eimeria tenella. The oocysts of E. tenella were isolated from the feces of broilers received at the veterinary hospital in Diwaniyah Province and initially diagnosed by compound optical microscopy. The oocysts were confirmed molecularly by polymerase chain reaction targeting the ITS1 gene with a molecular weight of 409 bp. The results in the first week showed that ZNOP concentrations of 20 and 40 mg/kg possess various activities against E. tenella, while 60 mg/kg was the most effective in reducing excreted oocysts compared to the positive control and amprolium group, along with the appearance of mild symptoms and a mortality rate of 0.8%. In the second week of infection, excreted oocysts and mortality rates generally decreased in all treated groups. A comparison of all groups showed that the 60 mg/kg ZNOP-treated group had a significantly lower number of excreted oocysts, and all birds in this group recovered during the second week of infection. These findings revealed the prospect of using ZNOPs against E. tenella in challenging situations of the appearance of resistance to anticoccidial agents.

Owing to side effects, drug resistance and recurrence of Echinococcus granulosus infestation following conventional therapies, seeking novel therapeutic approaches such as herbal medicines seems necessary. The aim of this study was assessment the anti-parasitic and immunomodulatory effects of Cinnamomum camphora and Ziziphora tenuior plant medicines against protoscolices