Coccidian parasites as a cause of watery diarrhoea among protein energy malnourished and other immunocompromised Egyptian children

The role of coccidian parasites in the pathogenesis of watery diarrhea was studied among children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM), immunocompromised due to causes other than PEM and immunocompetent diarrheic of matched age and sex, as controls. The results showed that the prevalence of infection was 15.48%, Cryptosporidium was the most prevalent and showed 14.19% (18.3%, 17.5% and 7.3% in PEM, immunocompromised and immunocompetent cases respectively). Cyclospora oocysts were detected only among 2 cases (1.29%) of PEM group. Isospora oocysts were not detected in any of the studied groups. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (Z.N.) technique was found to be the most reliable technique for identification of coccidian protozoa infection in stool. Giardia lamblia cysts were found in 10.97% and Entamoeba histolytica in 5.16% of cases. Mixed infection (G. lamblia and E. histolytica) was found in 2.58% of the cases. The duration of diarrhoea was more prolonged in Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora infections among PEM and immunocompromised cases. Cryptosporidium is one of the important casuses of watery diarrhoea in infants and children in PEM and immunocompromised patients. Therefore, it is indicated to use modified Z.N. technique as a routine test for stool examination and immunocompromised patients must avoid contaminated water.

An experimental vaccine providing heterologous protection for Leishmania species in murine model

Five groups each of 20 BALB/C mice were immunized by heat killed L. donovani promastigotes. Two groups served as control. Each group of mice was subdivided into 2 equal subgroups and challenged with either L. donovani or L. major. The results revealed a high cross reactivity paralleled by a high cross protection between L. donovani and L. major. Heat killed L. donovani promastigotes super-passed other tested SDS-PAGE fractionated and eluted L. d. fractions identified by immune BALB/c mice in providing protection against both L. donovani and L. major. The percentage of protection (reduction in parasite burden) offered by each vaccine was as follows: 80.21%, 36.11%, 9.29%, 33.44% and 17.48% respectively against challenge infection with L. donovani and 3.012 x 10(4), 1.095 x 10(4), 6.054 x 10(2), 2.409 x 10(4), and 3.34 x 10(2), respectively against challenge infection with L. major.

Rodents, their seasonal activity, ecto- and blood-parasites in Saint Catherine area, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt

Rodents are on the top of animal reservoirs of zoonotic parasites. Five species of wild rodents were trapped on monthly base from Saint Catherine area. The highest trap index was 0.5 in May and the lowest was zero in December, January and February. The dominant rodents were Acomys c. dimidiatus followed by Dipodillus d. dasyurus and then A. r. russatus. Sporadic numbers of Sekeetamys c. calurus (3) and Eliomys. qu. melanurus (2) were collected. The ectoparasites in a descending order of abundance were mites (45.6%), lice (30.3%) and then fleas (24.1%). The most abundant ectoparasites among the three groups were Polyplax spinulosa (lice). Allodermanyssus sanguineus (mites), and Xenopsylla dipodilli (fleas). Leishmania amastigotes and Babesia microti were detected in Acomys. Also, one pregnant female A. c. dimidiatus was infected with a nematode parasite, Syphacia obvelata. The results were discussed on the light of the previous work.

The pathology of the heart and lung in Syrian golden hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania d. infantum on top of pre-existing Schistosoma mansoni infection

No doubt, double and triple infections are not uncommon features in some of the developing countries. In this paper, the effect of leishmanial infantum and schistosomal mansoni infection on the heart and lung of hamsters promoted many changes not seen in positive control with either parasite alone. Of these important changes, were the presence of leishmanial cardiac granulomas and earlier pulmonary granulomas in the lung were more or less the same as in positive schistosomal control. No doubt, with pulmonary schistosomiasis mansoni dangerous disease. Moreover, additional infection with pulmonary leishmaniasis increases the dramatic clinico-pathological picture.

The effect of the volatile oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Thymus vulgaris against the larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen)

Nowadays, there are many problems with the use of chemical insecticides as resistance, environmental pollution, toxicity to man and animal... etc. All these required the investigation of a new line for controlling arthropod pests of medical and agricultural importance. The volatile oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides (American wormseed) and Thymus vulgaris (Tyme) proved to be effective against the third stage larvae of Lucilia sericata. The LC50 confidence limits were 70 ppm and 130 ppm for both volatile oils respectively. No doubt, the use of these plant volatile oils, which are widely distributed in the Egyptian flora, more cheap, more safe and without any pollution or hazard, is recommended.

Incidence of Toxoplasma and Toxocara antibodies among out-patients in the Ophthalmic Research Institute, Egypt

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis is getting much important nowadays. Both are soil transmitted infections. The present study was planned to detect the incidence of T. gondii and T. canis antibodies among 100 patients attending the outpatient clinics in Research Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIO), whose urine and stool were free from other parasitic stages. Patients were classified into two groups, group I; (70 ocular cases) and group II, (30 non-occular cases). Control group (group III); 30 healthy persons. Sera from all individuals were subjected to IFAT and IHAT to detect Toxoplasma antibodies and IFAT to detect Toxocara antibodies. By using IFAT for Toxoplasma revealed, 25% as a total incidence, 21.4% in group I, 33.3% in group II and 6.6% in group III. While IHAT revealed 51% as a total incidence, 51.4% in group I, 50% in group II and 23.3% in group III. Among group I, retinochoroiditis cases showed the highest incidence and titre. While hydrocephalic cases showed highest incidence and titre in group II. T. canis antibodies revealed 23% as a total incidence, 14.3% in group I, 43.3% in group II and 5% in group III. Cases presented with retinal detachment showed the highest incidence and titre in group I while in group II hepatomegalic cases gave the highest incidence and titre. Concomitant infection of both Toxoplasma and Toxocara was detected in 8% of positive cases.

Effect of immunomodulation on the course of experimental toxocariasis in mice

Immunosuppressed groups treated with cortisone showed fulmination of Toxocara canis infection in terms of significant increase in brain parasitism, total larval count and significant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count. Suppression of the host inflammatory responses was detected in the liver, lungs, brain and muscles. Accelerated transit of larvae through the liver was observed when cortisone was given before infection. Whether BCG was given before or after infection, it showed no significant changes regarding all criteria compared to the control group. Induction of diabetes, whether before or after infection, led to persistence of larvae in the liver, insignificant increase in brain and total larval parasitism and insignificant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count.

Serodiagnosis of giardiasis by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence tests

Serodiagnosis of giardiasis by counterimmunoelectrophoresis assay (CIEP) and indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT) were evaluated versus stool examination. Giardia lamblia antibodies were detected in sera of 46.9% and 53.1% using CIEP and IFAT respectively out of 49 giardiasis-infected children (5-10 years) diagnosed microscopically. Among the control group (22 children) 13.6% and 18.2% were positive by CIEP and IFAT respectively. The findings of the study showed that we can not rely on serology to diagnose giardiasis specially in cases with low excretion rates.

Naturally occurring toxoplasma antibodies in serum and milk of lactating women

Serum and milk of lactating women were tested for toxoplasmosis using specific-IgG IFAT. Apparently healthy 70 women were selected: 54 from rural and 16 from urban areas. Serum and milk were simultaneously collected from each one. Sera were positive in 22 (31.4%) of the total 70; including 16 (29.6%) and 6 (37.5%) of rural and urban groups respectively. No statistical significant difference was found for positivity and titre levels between the two groups (P greater than 0.05). Milk was positive in 12 (17.1%) of the 70 women; including 10 (18.5%) and 2 (12.5%) from rural and urban groups respectively, having no statistical significant difference (P greater than 0.05). Comparing serum and milk for positivity and titre levels, also there was no statistical significant difference (P greater than 0.05). It is concluded that relatively low antibody levels in serum could be excreted in milk and may be protective for suckling babies. Occurrence of antibodies in serum and milk are homogeneously distributed between rural and urban inhabitants.

The immune defensive mechanism in parasitic infection with eosinophilia

This study was attempted to assess the extent of stimulation of the immune system in some patients suffering from parasitic infection with eosinophilia. Eighty-eight cases were selected, they included 10 apparently healthy, 10 suffering from different atopic disorders associated with eosinophilia and free from parasitic infections and 68 patients suffering from different parasitic infections associated with marked eosinophilia. The results showed a highly significant increase in the absolute eosinophil count in the atopic group while the parasitized group showed a moderate increase. The IgE serum level was increased in both atopic and parasitized groups. The cellular immunity expressed by phagocytic power of neutrophils was more depressed in parasitized than atopic group.

Humoral and cell mediated immune responses in scabietic patients

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were studied in forty scabietic patients and twenty healthy control individuals. The parameter findings for quantitative assessment of humoral immune response by the single radial immune diffusion technique indicated that IgA was significantly decreased, IgG & IgM were significantly increased while there was no statistical difference in the level of IgE, C3 & C4 compared to the normal control group. The cell mediated immune response was estimated in vivo by the intradermal test. It showed insignificant decrease in the number of positive reactors versus the control group. The macrophage migration inhibition test as an in vitro index for determining the cell mediated immune response was significantly diminished. This study indicates that humoral and cell-mediated immune responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of scabies.

Prevalence of Giardia lamblia antibodies in serum and milk in lactating women from different social classes in Egypt

Prevalence and levels of systemic and milk antibodies to G. lamblia in the different social classes of the population were studied using the IFAT and nor-partigen immunoglobulin plates. Blood and milk samples were collected simultaneously from lactating women in urban (Cairo) and rural (Benha) areas. Serum IgG was present in 90% of rural low standard mothers, 58% of urban moderate standard mothers, and 25% or urban high standard mothers (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01). Antilog of mean of antibody titers was significantly higher in the low standard rural mothers than in the urban moderate and high standard ones. Specific secretory IgA antibody in milk was found in 71% of rural low standard mothers, 31% of urban moderate standard mothers, and 16.6% of urban high standard mothers (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01 and P greater than 0.05). The antilog of mean S-IgA titers was also higher in the low standard rural mothers. The titer levels of S-IgA in the three classes did not show any correlation with the quantitative levels of total IgA in milk, while specific IgG showed a positive correlation with the total serum IgG in the low standard rural mothers only (P less than 0.05). This study documented the widely different antibody response to G. lamblia in individuals living in different social classes.