Ghader Khalili; Faramarz Dobakhti; Hamid Mahmoudzadeh Niknam; Vahid Khaze; Fatemeh Partovi
Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 2011, , Pages 45-51
Abstract
Background: Leishmaniasis is a complex disease which presents as visceral, cutaneous and mucocutaneous forms. The current treatment options for this infection are very limited and the immunological state of the host appears to play an important role in the efficacy of the treatment. Immunostimulation ...
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Background: Leishmaniasis is a complex disease which presents as visceral, cutaneous and mucocutaneous forms. The current treatment options for this infection are very limited and the immunological state of the host appears to play an important role in the efficacy of the treatment. Immunostimulation through immune response activating agents such as Imiquimod is another rational approach for this purpose. Objective: We assessed the efficacy of immunotherapy with Imiquimod alone or combined with Glucantime for treatment of Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice. Methods: Treatment efficacy was monitored by determination of thickness and parasite load of infected footpad of mice. Results: The footpad thickness revealed that treatment with Imiquimod plus Glucantime has the highest efficacy. The results were confirmed by parasite load of infected footpad. Our data shows that treatment of Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice by the combined Imiquimod and Glucantime is more efficient than each drug alone. Conclusion: The combination of Imiquimod with chemotherapy may offer a way for more efficient treatment of leishmaniasis.
Faramarz Dobakhti; Soheila Ajdari; Mohammad Taghikhani; Shahnaz Rafiei; Khosrow Bayati; Mortez Rafiee-Tehrani
Volume 3, Issue 3 , September 2006, , Pages 114-120
Abstract
Background: Different methods have been used for BCG vaccination. Alginate microspheres are useful in delivery of vaccines to the gastrointestinal tract by oral route. Objective: To compare the immune response following oral microencapsulated and subcutaneous (SC) route administration of BCG vaccine ...
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Background: Different methods have been used for BCG vaccination. Alginate microspheres are useful in delivery of vaccines to the gastrointestinal tract by oral route. Objective: To compare the immune response following oral microencapsulated and subcutaneous (SC) route administration of BCG vaccine in BALB/c mice. Methods: Alginate microspheres were produced by an internal emulsification method within olive oil. Four groups of mice were studied, including two groups receiving oral gavages of microencapsulated and free BCG, one receiving SC injection of BCG, and a control group. T cell proliferation, specific anti-BCG total IgG, and IgG subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2a) were compared between groups 5 and 12 weeks after vaccination. Results: The best result was achieved using oral microencapsulated form in comparison with oral BCG alone. Conclusion: Delivery of oral BCG with alginate microspheres is an effective way to induce immune response in BALB/c mice.