Hiba Riyadh Al-Abodi

Background: An area of concern for children is intestinal parasitic infections from their environment where it is not stable. Objective: This research aimed to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites among children from Al-Diwaniyah city residential districts and to find out the relationship between environmental variables, such as temperature, humidity, sunlight, and rainfall, and the transmission patterns of those parasites. Methodology: A total number of 2145 patients were observed in the study from August 2025 until January 2026. The total incidence of infection was 30.63%, and the study had evidence of a high level of overall endemicity. The data also showed there were a variety of disease types; for example, parasitic disease occurred at the highest rate, with 417 episodes (63.5%), indicating there's substantial soil contamination. The investigator found Entamoeba histolytica in 61 of those 200 cases of contaminated drinking water, or approximately 30.4%. Giardia lamblia was found in 40 of the 200 cases of giardiasis (6.1%). Giardia lamblia spreads by means of its cysts found in water. Results: Males represent 52.97% of the entire population (348 cases) and females 47.03% (309 cases), creating nearly equal representation between males and females concerning the gender distribution of the population. Consequently, all the individuals in this population were exposed to contaminated food and water. In terms of the age variable, children aged 1 through 5 years had the highest rate of disease occurrence/illness burden (55.56%), followed by children aged 5 years (31.66%). The rapid increase in disease occurrence in early childhood, before 5 years, has been attributed to the absence of naturally developed immunity, basic "hand-to-mouth habits" due to developmental stages, and behaviors associated with playing in unclean dirt. The results of the research indicate a relatively equal number of males and females, with 47.03% (309 cases) of patients being female, and 52.97% (348 cases) being male. This means that all individuals in the sample have had one or more opportunities to come into contact with contaminated sources (food or water). Conclusion: Children aged one to five appeared to account for the highest percentage of infected patients based on their age, with children aged five accounting for the highest number of infected children. The increases in the number of children under five years old who are infected were attributed to activities such as playing in contaminated soil, hand-to-mouth pathways, and an undeveloped immune system. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, June 2026;13(1):348-353

Purpose Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important parasitic factors causing miscarriage in pregnant women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate some hematological parameters and cytokine levels (IL-6 and IL-27) in women who had first-trimester miscarriage due to toxoplasmosis compared to the control group. Methods From January to December 2023, 65 women in Al-Shamiya District, Diwaniyah Governorate, central Iraq, who had previously been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis through serological testing and experienced a first-trimester miscarriage, were the subject of the current study. As controls, there were twenty healthy, non-pregnant women. Laboratory tests were performed on venous blood samples in order to evaluate hematological parameters. The slide agglutination test was also used to identify blood types, and the ELISA test was used to measure the levels of the immunological markers interleukin-6 and interleukin-27. Results According to the current findings, a statistically significant association was found between blood type and toxoplasmosis incidence (χ² = 12.39, df = 3, P = 0.006). This indicates a genuine association between the two variables, particularly the higher incidence among individuals with blood type B. Laboratory tests confirmed statistically significant differences between the infected women and the control group in most of the analyzed blood parameters. A marked increase in total white blood cell count was observed, while the red blood cell count decreased. The effect size and 95% confidence intervals further support the statistical reliability of the pooled data. The results confirmed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in interleukin-27 levels between the two study groups. However, the mean of 88 pg/mL in the abortion group and 73 pg/mL in the control group indicated a slight increase in serum interleukin-6 levels in the women who had abortions. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (p ≈ 0.16) according to the Mann-Whitney U test used, due to the large variability in the results shown by the aborted animals. Conclusions The present findings represent preliminary evidence that warrants further research in order to understand the molecular or immunological mechanisms underlying the relationship between toxoplasmosis infection and hematologic parameters and immune markers among women with history of abortion. This will to help stratify the most at-risk people and establish better prevention and early detection in the future.

Background The tachyzoite is the active, fast-replicating stage of Toxoplasma gondii, causing tissue damage. Treatments like pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine target this stage, but their efficacy is limited due to the parasite's ability to form resistant tissue cysts, requiring advanced strategies to address both stages. Objectives Sage extract-loaded niosomes were prepared, and their properties and drug delivery efficiency were tested. Normal and parasite cells were exposed to free sage extract, niosome-encapsulated sage extract, clindamycin, and the synergistic niosome-drug combination. Subsequently, parasite load, cell viability, and toxicity were assessed using the MTT assay, along with an independent analysis of apoptosis induction for both normal and parasite cells. Parasite load was assessed by measuring cycle threshold (CT) values using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to track tachyzoite counts on days 0, 3, 6, and 10. Results The prepared niosomes showed high encapsulation efficiency and active substance release. HeLa and Vero cell viability slightly decreased with treatment. Apoptosis rates in HeLa cells were 3.3% ± 2.1 (free extract), 5.4% ± 1.4 (niosome-loaded extract), and 6% ± 1.2 (synergistic combination). Despite high toxicity to parasite cells, apoptosis in HeLa cells was unaffected. The viability of the parasite decreased progressively with increasing concentrations of the therapeutic compounds. The synergistic combination demonstrated the highest toxicity (100% toxicity at 32 mg/mol), followed by clindamycin and niosome-encapsulated sage extract (100% toxicity at 256 mg/mol), while the free sage extract was the least effective (74% toxicity at the highest concentration). The EC50 values were as follows: clindamycin (3.86 mg/ml), free sage extract (32.3 mg/ml), and niosome-encapsulated sage extract (3.99 mg/ml). The results of the quantitative molecular evaluation indicated that all the therapeutic compounds under investigation affected the parasite load over time. Conclusions In general, all therapeutic compounds were effective in reducing parasite load over time, especially when compared with the control group. All the therapeutic compounds under trial had a certain effect in eradicating tachyzoites. The synergistic compound was the most effective. Niosome-encapsulated sage extract was the most stable and effective according to statistical analysis of the data. The study needs further studies to support the results and consider them in clinical application.

Background: Hydatid disease is a disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus, and the parasite can infect the liver, lungs, etc. This disease poses a health risk due to the serious complications that may occur from it. Objectives: The present study aimed to know the effect of each of: praziquantel, ginger alcoholic extract, in addition to niosome loaded with ginger extract, as well as the synergistic complex of praziquantel with niosome loaded with ginger extract, in eliminating the protoscolices of hydatid cysts in vitro. Metheology: After Preparation of alcoholic ginger extract and noisome loaded with it, the effects of different therapeutic compounds on the protoscole were tested using concentrations (5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 150 mg/ml) of each extract, with incubation periods ranging from 5 to 60 minutes. Results: The results for the synergistic compound loaded with niosomal extract and ginger extract produced the highest extermination rate of 79% after 60 minutes. While, praziquantel extermination rate ranged from 66% to 79% and ginger extract at 5 mg/ml showed extermination ranging from 32% to 40%. Statistical tests reveal significant differences between treatments with ANOVA test results (F=11; p<0.00018) showing the high efficacy of the synergistic compound over praziquantel and ginger extract. Conclusion: The synergistic combination of niosome loaded with ginger extract and praziquantel showed high efficacy in vitro protoscolices extermination rates, but the standard deviation value of data analysis confirmed the presence of a state of instability. Niosome loaded with ginger extract showed excellent extermination efficacy with stable effects. Therefore, it is considered the best choice as a treatment. The extermination efficacy of praziquantel and ginger alcoholic extract was within the average values.

Parasites are biological pathogens whose effects are not limited to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They infect various living organs of the body, and intestinal parasites, in particular, are widespread worldwide. Among the newly discovered parasites are the Entamoeba genus and the infestation of amoebas. However, the result is useless colonization of the intestine, invasion of the colonic lining, or destruction of stratified tissues, such as the colon and liver, causing amoebiasis. Therefore, amoeba colonies develop as commensal parasites in the intestinal lumen and do not infect humans. Early diagnosis is achieved in a small number of individuals by laboratory examination under a light microscope, but this technique is ineffective at distinguishing between three phenotypically similar amoeba species: E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshicoviskii, due to their close morphological similarity. The most common amoeba species are transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or drinking contaminated, untreated water. Recent human transmission confirms the presence of a special invisibility mechanism for infection. This invisibility has the ability to survive and occur monthly for several days, weeks, or months when moisture is available. The importance of this study is to define the disease and shed light on the history of amoebic dysentery and the factors that have long been determinants of the disease’s spread. The current study sheds light on some of the historical and biological aspects related to amoebic dysentery. It highlights the most important parasitic species causing the disease, the parasite’s life cycle leading to the development of symptoms, and some factors related to virulence.

Giardiasis is one of the essential parasitic intestinal diseases, widespread in many countries. Therefore, it has occupied a necessary place among public health priorities. Children are the most vulnerable and affected by this disease. The current study evaluated the physiological and biochemical hematological changes of affected children under 12 in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, middle of Iraq. Hemoglobin levels and the volume of compacted blood cells decreased in patients (10.4g/dL and 33.7%, respectively). In contrast, the number of white blood cells increased to (7700 cells/mm3), indicating substantial differences between the hematological parameters and the control group's results. Regarding the number of cells, the investigation revealed a reduction of (64.1%) in the total number of cells. In contrast to the control data, the results showed a rise in the number of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, with respective percentages of (%28.4), (%0.6), and (%0.4). Monocytes were unaffected. The findings of the biochemical parameters demonstrated that the concentrations of liver enzymes varied significantly, with the attention of GPT and GOT increasing to(18.7) and (19.9)international units/liter. Additionally, lipid level variations, including lower cholesterol and triglycerides, were discovered. Compared to the control groups, it reached (163.8) and (122.5) mg/DL. Keywords: Giardiasis, blood parameters, GOT, Giardia lamblia.

There are many pathogens in the reproductive system in both women and men, which are largely responsible for the death of thousands of women as a result of incorrect diagnosis and failure to treat diseases of the reproductive system such as uterine cancer, ectopic pregnancy, acute and chronic infections of the uterus and Fallopian tubes, puerperal infections, and in the event that the patient survived death. These diseases have bad effects, including infertility, miscarriage, fetal death, birth of low-weight fetuses, fetal blindness, pneumonia, and mental retardation. These diseases are transmitted through the mucous membranes during vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with a person who is infected or passed from mother to fetus. Wrong sexual behaviors also lead to the acquisition of genital infections. The incidence of reproductive system diseases in women is 50%, especially at an early age, compared to 25% for men, and affects them more severely. According to studies, two-thirds of cases of sexually transmitted diseases are obtained in their teens or twenties. There is limited access to health care for women infected with these diseases in developing countries, as health care is often provided in these countries through a range of services for individuals, family planning clinics, reproductive health centers, and public hospitals. However, in developing countries, untrained people provide treatment without accurate diagnosis of the disease, which increases the exacerbation of sexually transmitted diseases, whereas the situation is much better in developed countries.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis has received many epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, quantitative and other studies. The current study aims to determine the type of leishmaniasis parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in children in the Al-Diwaniyah governorate in central Iraq to assess the level of variations in globulins and immune cells in children with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Fifty-nine was a positive sample for the traditional laboratory examination of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children whose ages ranged between (8 months-10 and years). They were collected from the Maternity and Children Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. The samples were subjected to molecular diagnostics to determine the type of leishmaniasis that causes the disease using Real-Time PCR. ELISA was approved to measure the levels of variation in the concentrations of IgG and IgM among the group of infected and healthy children. The results indicated that children's predominant type causing cutaneous leishmaniasis is L. major 52 samples (88.13%). The immunological study showed clear and statistically significant differences in the mean globulin concentrations for comparing the patient's L. major with the control group at a probability level (P≤0.05). The current study concluded that L. major is the dominant species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Keywords: Catenous leishmaniasis, L. major, Real-Time PCR.

Background: Today, the present protoscolicidals used to minimize the serious risks during hydatid cyst surgery are not completely safe and have various adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and apoptotic activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) as well as its in vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of FMEO. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts were collected from liver fertile hydatid cysts of infected sheep and were then treated with various concentrations of the essential oil (75, 150, and 300 µL/mL) for 5–60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Then, by using the eosin exclusion test, the viability of the protoscoleces was studied. The caspase-3-like activity of the FMEO-treated protoscoleces was also evaluated through the colorimetric protease assay Sigma Kit based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: According to GC/MS, the main constituents of the essential oil were terpinolene (77.72%), n-nonanal (4.47%), and linalool (4.35%), respectively. In vitro, the maximum protoscolicidal activity of FMEO was observed at the concentrations of 150 and 300 µL/mL, such that 100% of the protoscoleces were killed after 30 and 20 min of exposure, respectively. Based on the obtained findings, the results demonstrate that FMEO required a longer time to kill protoscoleces ex vivo; after 12 min of exposure to FMEO, only 13.4% of the protoscoleces remained alive. After 48 h of the treatment of protoscoleces, FMEO, in a dose-dependent manner and at doses of 75, 150, and 300 µL/mL, induced the activation of the caspase enzyme by 24.3, 35.3, and 48.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the potent protoscolicidal effects of FMEO in vitro and ex vivo; however, further studies are required to assess the safety and the efficiency of FMEO as a promising scolicidal agent in a preclinical model and clinical setting.

Background: Myrtus communis (M. communis) is a wild aromatic plant used for traditional herbal medicine that can be demonstrated in insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of its essential oils (MCEO). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of M. communis essential oil (MCEO) against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of MCEO. Mice were then orally administrated with MCEO at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day and also atovaquone 100 mg/kg for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20–25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in mice of each tested group were measured. Results: By GC/MS, the major constituents were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%), respectively. The results demonstrated that the mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in experimental groups Ex1 (p < 0.05), Ex2 (p < 0.001) and Ex3 (p < 0.001) was meaningfully reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (C2). The mean diameter of tissue cyst was significantly reduced in mice of the experimental groups Ex2 (p < 0.01) and Ex3 (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated that although the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were elevated in all mice of experimental groups, a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in tested groups of Ex2 and Ex3 when compared with control groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated the potent prophylactic effects of MCEO especially in the doses 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice infected with T. gondii. Although the exceptional anti-Toxoplasma effects of MCEO and other possessions, such as improved innate immunity and low toxicity are positive topics, there is, however, a need for more proof from investigations in this field.