Evaluation of the antiparasitic activity of the chitosan-silver nanocomposites in the treatment of experimentally infested pigeons with Pseudolynchia canariensis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan-silver nanocomposites in the treatment of experimentally infested pigeons with Pseudolynchia canariensis (P. canariensis) with evaluation of different immunological parameters before and after treatment. Therefore, fourteen birds were divided into 2 groups; group1(infested group including 12 birds) which subdivided into 6 sub-groups experimentally infested pigeons 2 pigeons each, and five group of them were treated with chitosan-silver nanocomposites and sub-group number 6 was treated with deltamethrin while, group 2 including two pigeons were kept as control negative ones. P. canariensis flies distributed under the wing and /or under the tail in infested group and these pigeons showed significantly lower RBCs and higher WBCs than that in non-infested pigeons. The cell mediated immune response against experimentally infested pigeons with P. canariensis was studied. P. canariensis infestation in pigeons have a negative impact on pigeon's blood parameters, increase TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines levels. This study cleared out the role of P. canariensis in the induction of a case of oxidative stress indicated by high level of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) with low antioxidant capacity in shape of reduced zinc concentration in the sera of experimentally infested pigeon. Chitosan-silver nanocomposite has a promising effect in the elimination of P. canariensis infestation in pigeons.

Keywords: Ag NPs, Silver nanoparticles; Blood parameters, Chitosan-silver nanocomposites, Deltamethrin; CMI, cellular-mediated immunity; EDTA, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid; GPX, glutathione peroxidase; HDL, High-density lipoproteins; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IgY, immunoglobulins Y; Interleukin1β (IL1-β); LC50, Lethal concentration 50; LDL, Low-density lipoproteins; MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; MDA, malondialdehyde; NaOH, Sodium hydroxide; Oxidative stress in pigeon; P. canariensis, Pseudolynchia canariensis; PCV, packed cell volume; Pigeon fly; Pseudolynchia canariensis; RBCs, Red blood cells; SOD, Superoxide dismutase; TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor alpha; Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α); WBCs, white blood cells; h, Hour.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Showing cages that designed for experimental infection of pigeons with P. canariensis flies; each cage includes two adult pigeons.

Fig. 2

Transmission electron microscope of chitosan- silver nanocomposites showing the rounded shape of the nanoparticles with its diameter ranged from 16 −21.9 nm.

Fig. 3

A summarized diagram showing that during experimental infection of pigeons with P. canariensis flies; serum samples resulted in decrease in serum zinc concentration and increase in serum nitric oxide and MDA level; blood samples revealed decrease in RBCs, Haemoglobin & platelets count and increase in WBCs, lymphocytes, monocytes & eosinophils, while skin tissue examination revealed increase in both TNF-α & Interleukin1β activity.

Fig. 4

Life cycle of P. canariensis fly; The adult female only produces one larva at a time and keeps it in her body until it is ready to pupate. The larva absorbs the secretions of a “milk gland” in its mother's uterus. Female gives birth to the white pre-pupa after three larval instars, when the larva has reached its maximum size, and it begins to darken and form the puparium or pupal shell. P. canariensis pupa resembles a dark brown pupa in the host nest or surrounding environment. The adult P. canariensis fly leaves the puparium and flies around looking for a new host.