BACKGROUND During blood feeding, sand flies inject Leishmania parasites in the presence of saliva. The types and functions of cells present at the first host-parasite contact are critical to the outcome on infection and sand fly saliva has been shown to play an important role in this setting. Herein, we investigated the in vivo chemotactic effects of Lutzomyia intermedia saliva, the vector of L...

The ultrastructures of the pituitary pars intermedia of 11 male sheep about 1-13 months of age were observed. The following cells were distinguished in the sheep pars intermedia: pars intermedia glandular cells, marginal cells, interstitial cells, follicular cells, pars distalis-like granular cells, degenerating cells and mast cells. The pars intermedia glandular cells contain a well-developed ...

To survive and multiply within their hosts, pathogens must possess efficient iron-scavenging mechanisms. In the present study, we investigate the capacity of Prevotella nigrescens and Prevotella intermedia to use various sources of iron for growth and characterize the transferrin-binding activity of P. nigrescens. Iron-saturated human transferrin and lactoferrin, but not ferric chloride and the...

Background: β-thalassemia is the most common hereditary disease in Iran, and more than 2 million carriers of β-thalassemia live in Iran. On the other hand, our country is located in the thalassemia belt, and no comprehensive study has been conducted regarding the effect of erythropoietin on blood parameters in thalassemia intermedia patients in our region. Therefore this study aimed to investig...

BACKGROUND There are various clinical symptoms of thalassemia intermedia, and they lie roughly between those of major and minor forms of the disease. Patients with thalassemia intermedia occasionally require blood transfusions. This renders them susceptible to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) syndrome, which is one of the most significant complications in patients with thalassemia intermed...

BACKGROUND Leishmania parasites are transmitted in the presence of sand fly saliva. Together with the parasite, the sand fly injects salivary components that change the environment at the feeding site. Mice immunized with Phlebotomus papatasi salivary gland (SG) homogenate are protected against Leishmania major infection, while immunity to Lutzomyia intermedia SG homogenate exacerbated experime...

BACKGROUND Leishmania transmission occurs in the presence of insect saliva. Immunity to Phlebotomus papatasi or Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva or salivary components confers protection against an infection by Leishmania in the presence of the homologous saliva. However, immunization with Lutzomyia intermedia saliva did not protect mice against Leishmania braziliensis plus Lu. intermedia saliva. I...