Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 14 4 2019 12 31 652 656 EN Abraham Octavio RODRÍGUEZ-DE LA FUENTE Department of Exact Sciences and Human Development, Biological Sciences School, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Sán Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México Ricardo GOMEZ-FLORES Department of Immunology and Virology, Biological Sciences School, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Sán Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México José Antonio HEREDIA-ROJAS Department of Exact Sciences and Human Development, Biological Sciences School, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Sán Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México Edna Marbella GARCÍA-MUÑOZ Northeast Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México Javier VARGAS-VILLARREAL Northeast Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México Magda Elizabeth HERNÁNDEZ-GARCÍA Northeast Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México Francisco GONZÁLEZ-SALAZAR Northeast Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México Jesús Norberto GARZA-GONZÁLEZ Northeast Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México Michaela BELTCHEVA Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria Omar Heredia-Rodriguez Department of Exact Sciences and Human Development, Biological Sciences School, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Sán Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México 2018 12 04 2019 04 16 Background: There is an increasing interest in using physical factors such as magnetic fields as antimicrobial strategy, with variable results. The current study was aimed to evaluate the influence of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on the axenically-cultured parasite protozoans Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia growth. Methods: Bioassays were developed using T. vaginalis, GT-13 and G. lamblia IMSS-0989 strains cultured at 37 ºC in TYI-S-33 medium. The following treatment regimens and controls were considered: (a) cells exposed to ELF-EMFs, (b) untreated cells, (c) cells treated with Metronidazole, used as positive controls, and (d) cells co-exposed to ELF-EMFs and Metronidazole. When cultures reached the end of logarithmic phase, they were exposed to ELF-EMFs for 72 h, in a standardized magnetic field exposure facility. For determining cytotoxic effects, trophozoite density was blindly evaluated in a Neubauer chamber. Results: A significant decrease in trophozoite growth was observed for T. vaginalis, in magnetic field-treated cultures. On the other hand, cultures co-exposed to ELF-EMFs and Metronidazole showed no significant differences when compared with cultures treated with Metronidazole alone. On the contrary, an increased trophozoite density was observed in G. lamblia cultures after exposure to magnetic fields. An absence of a synergistic or antagonistic effect was observed. Conclusion: ELF-EMFs induced T. vaginalis and G. lamblia growth alterations, indicating a potential effect in cell cycle progression. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2380