Zahra Eslamirad, Homa Soleimani,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Hydatid cyst surgery leads to the cyst rupture and release of protoscolices. Following the results of the previous study showing that microwaves have the ability to deactivate protoscolices in vitro, this study aimed to investigate the effect of these microwaves on protoscolices in vivo.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 24 mice. Hydatid cysts from sheep were collected from the slaughterhouse and protoscolices were removed. Twenty-four eppendorf tubes containing protoscolices were divided into 4 groups. The first group (control) was not placed in the experimental environment and was not exposed to radiation, the second and third groups (treatment) were exposed to microwave radiation for 40 and 60 seconds, respectively, and the fourth group (sham) was placed in the experimental environment without radiation. The content of each tube was injected to a mouse, observing the codes for working with animals. After 4 months, the mice were killed and the number and location of their cysts were examined. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test at significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The mortality rate of protoscolices in the treatment groups after microwave radiation was significantly higher than that in the control and sham groups (p<0.001). The total number of cysts formed in the mice in the treatment groups was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Repetitive microwaves not only affect the mortality rate of protoscolices, but also reduce the ability of them for producing cysts. Considering that exposure to microwaves is a non-invasive method, it can be used as an alternative method in treatment of hydatid cyst.
Zahra Eslamirad, Reza Haji Hajihossein, Homa Soleimani,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2020)
Abstract
Objective: Acanthamoeba is a free-living and opportunistic amoeba that the potential of this parasite to convert to a cyst, making its treatment difficult. In this study, we investigated the effect of microwave radiation on Acanthamoeba cysts in vitro.
Methods: Acanthamoeba cysts were reproduced in the culture medium. We divided 16 test tubes containing cysts into two groups. The contents of 8 tubes were irradiated with continuous microwave in the time range of 0-120 s, and the next 8 tubes were irradiated with repetitive microwave in the range of 0-360 s. The mortality of cysts at the end of irradiation was recorded and compared with control.
Results: Continuous and repetitive irradiation of microwave resulted in mortality of 100 (%) of Acanthamoeba cysts during 120 and 360 seconds, respectively. In continuous mode, parasite mortality in all groups was significantly different from the control group (P<0.0001). But in the repetition pattern only in groups that had been irradiated for more than 60 seconds, parasite mortality was significantly different from the control group (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: The change of radiation mode from continuous to repetitive, reduces the thermal effects of the microwaves but does not affect the mortality rate of Acanthamoeba cysts. Therefore, probably the impact of microwaves was not only caused by the increase in ambient heat but also its another property is involved in the death of Acanthamoeba.
