The concept of a technical investigation using computational models (in silico) gained much attention of the scientific community over the past two decades. Though being relatively new, it succeeded in fulfilling several defects, and answering many problems that were left unresolved by the traditional experimental models such as in vivo, ex-vivo, and in vitro studies. The drawbacks of in vivo models, for instance, include the use of animal models that may not exactly simulate humans; besides carrying risks to humans subjected to the experiment. Because both ex-vivo and in vitro studies are conducted outside the body, they do not consider the interactive dynamics taking place inside the human body. Recently, the use of computational models evolved and was implemented in several areas of scientific research. The present review aims to highlight new model applications of in silico studies in parasitic diseases, in order to attain two main outcomes: understanding the parasite biology and the host-parasite relationship. This in return would lead to the identification of potential diagnostic biomarkers, drug targets, vaccine candidates, and new aspects of parasite epidemiology, molecular barcoding, phylogenetic tree construction, population epigenetics as well as suggested potential gene mutations linked to drug resistance.

Schistosomiasis is a serious health issue in tropical regions, and natural compounds have gained popularity in medical science. This study investigated the potential effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) on Biomphalaria [B.] alexandrina snails (Ehrenberg, 1831), Schistosoma [S.] mansoni (Sambon, 1907) miracidium, and cercariae. The chemical composition of PSO was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A bioassay was performed to evaluate the effects of PSO on snails, miracidia, and cercariae. The results showed no significant mortality of B. alexandrina snails after exposure to PSO, but it caused morphological changes in their hemocytes at 1.0 mg/ml for 24 hours. PSO exhibited larvicidal activity against miracidia after 2 hours of exposure at a LC50 of 618.4 ppm. A significant increase in the mortality rate of miracidia was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching a 100% death rate after 10 minutes at LC90 and 15 minutes at LC50 concentration. PSO also showed effective cercaricidal activity after 2 hours of exposure at a LC50 of 290.5 ppm. Histological examination revealed multiple pathological changes in the digestive and hermaphrodite glands. The PSO had genotoxic effects on snails, which exhibited a significant increase [p≤0.05] in comet parameters compared to the control. The findings suggest that PSO has potential as a molluscicide, miracidicide, and cercaricide, making it a possible alternative to traditional molluscicides in controlling schistosomiasis.

Background: The house dust mites (HDM) constitute a major cause of allergic diseases all over the world. Genes encoding interleukins 12B and 17A which determine the course of T cell-mediated immune response are prime candidates as allergic disease susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of interleukins 12B + 1188A/C (rs3212227) and 17A −197G/A (rs2275913) confers susceptibility to HDM allergic diseases. Through a case-control study, 120 subjects served as 60 dust mites' allergic patients and 60 healthy non-allergic controls. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E level, eosinophilic count, serum interleukins 4, 10, 12B, and 17A levels for the studied subjects were measured. Then, genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at +1188A/C for IL12B and −197G/A for IL17A gene were conducted using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP-PCR). Results: The present study showed that in HDMs' allergic subjects there was a significant increase in IL12B (+1188 A/C) and IL17A (−197 G/A) genotype variants compared to that of the controls. There was a significant increase in total IgE levels, eosinophil counts, and the levels of both IL-4 and IL-17A, while IL12B was significantly lower in patients compared to that of the controls. There was no significant difference in IL-10 levels between patients and controls. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that IL12B (+1188 A/C) and IL17A (−197G/A) might be associated with an increase in the susceptibility to dust mites’ allergic patients.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that recently appeared in Upper Egypt. Globally, more than 50 million new infections occur annually. It currently lacks effective treatment, necessitating vector control strategies targeting Aedes aegypti. This study investigates the potential of chlorophyllin as a control agent against dengue vectors. Chlorophyllin was characterized by FTIR analysis. The singlet oxygen quantum yield was determined by comparing the luminescence intensity at 1270 nm with that of phenalenone, yielding a value of 0.18. LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were calculated for chlorophyllin. Its larvicidal efficacy was assessed, revealing an LC₅₀ of 0.47 ppm in controlled laboratories and 93.3 ppm in semi-field conditions, demonstrating its superior potency against Aedes aegypti compared to pheophorbide and Bacillus sphaericus. Genotoxicity was analyzed through Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, and histopathological changes were documented through microscopic examination. The genotoxicity results revealed high similarity in the DNA configurations of chlorophyllin-treated larvae and healthy individuals (similarity index of 0.8), whereas pheophorbide and Bacillus sphaericus exhibited substantial genetic deviations. Histopathological analysis demonstrated severe disruptions in chlorophyllin-treated larvae’s gut epithelial cells and muscle tissues, including epithelial detachment and irregular cell shapes. These findings position chlorophyllin as a promising gut toxin larvicide for Aedes aegypti control, with a more favorable genetic safety profile than conventional chemicals.