SEM and molecular approaches to identify Calicophoron clavula in Saudi Arabia.

In the present study, Calicophoron clavula (Paramphistomidae), a parasite of rumina of sheep and cows, was collected from Taif region, KSA, to investigate its identity and the prevalence of infection in livestock. Specific identification was mainly achieved by ITS molecular technique and surface ultrastructure was studied by SEM. Adult C. clavula is described for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The infection rate is 1% in sheep and 10% in cows. Results indicated that this species isolate was genetically identical with other C. clavula isolates where matching reach 100%. The primary sequence of the rDNA ITS2+ region of the fluke produces amplicon of 647 bp. SEM results show that no observed papillae around its genital opening. Besides, it has very few scattered small papillae around its oral region with few randomly distributed acetabular papillae. These findings were compared with the same corresponding species in other previous works of literatures.

Gelfoam haemostatic agent with or without autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells for the regeneration of critical-size mandibular defects in the rabbit.

This study evaluated the effect of Gelfoam sponge with and without autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) on bone regeneration in critical-size mandibular defects. The study involved 56 New Zealand rabbits assigned to four groups (14 in each). The osseous defects in group I were irrigated with normal saline, those in group II were grafted with autogenous tibial bone, and those in group III were filled with Gelfoam sponge. Group IV defects were treated as for group III, but the interface between the Gelfoam sponge and bone surface was injected with BMSCs. At the end of 4weeks, seven rabbits in each group were euthanized; the remaining animals were euthanized at the end of the experiment, at 8 weeks postoperative. The percentage area of newly formed bone was significantly higher in group IV at week 4 (0.030±0.01%) and week 8 (0.060±0.03%) than in group I (0.01±0.00% and 0.02±0.00%, respectively) and group III (0.08±0.01% and 0.015±0.02%, respectively), but was lower than that in group II (0.038±0.02% and 0.082±0.01%, respectively). Thus, the combination of Gelfoam and autologous BMSCs promoted the regeneration of mandibular critical-size defects better than the use of Gelfoam alone. However, the amount of newly generated bone was lower than in defects grafted with autogenous bone.

Toxicity of cadmium and protective effect of bee honey, vitamins C and B complex.

The present work aimed to study the toxic effect of cadmium (Cd) on rabbits' blood indices, as well as the therapeutic effect of the antioxidant agents, vitamins C and B complex and bee honey on Cd intoxicated rabbits. Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 3 mg/kg of body weight. The results showed a significant increase in serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea and creatinine, compared to the control group. In addition, CdCl2 intoxication increased the levels of uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Concerning haematological parameters, the more obvious changes were an increase in mean corpuscular volume and a decrease in white blood cells count, platelets, lymphocytes, heamatocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cells count. Treatment of CdCl2-intoxicated animals with vitamins C and B complex and bee honey showed a decrease in the harmful effects of Cd by restoring haematological and biochemical changes. Bee honey treatment was the most effective in providing recoveries in the altered blood parameters.

Spermiogenesis in two paramphistomes from Nile fish in Egypt: an ultrastructural study.

The process of spermiogenesis in two paramphistomes, Sandonia sudanensis and Basidiodiscus ectorchis from the Nile fish Synodontis schall in Egypt was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis is characterized by the outgrowth of the zone of differentiation, presenting two basal bodies separated by a microtubule organizing centre, each basal body developing into a flagellum. Proximodistal fusion of these flagella with a median cytoplasmic extension gives rise to the spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon possesses two axonemes of the 9+'1' pattern typical of parasitic helminths. There are few ultrastructural studies on spermiogenesis in paramphistomes, which are considered the most primitive digenetic trematodes. The present study provides new and more detailed information on this process, including the presence of a lateral flange and external ornamentation of the cell membrane. The value of sperm ultrastructure as a taxonomic tool in phylogeny is also discussed.

iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Brazilian children and adults.

Data concerning the geographic distribution of iceA alleles are scarce, and information on the association of the gene with the disease is rare and still controversial. Furthermore, no such study has been developed in Brazil, where duodenal ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma are very common. We investigated, by PCR, the frequency of iceA alleles and cagA status in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from 142 patients (62 children and 80 adults; 66 female; mean age, 30.0 years; age range, 3 to 78 years) with gastritis, duodenal ulcer, or gastric adenocarcinoma. iceA was identified in bacterium samples obtained from all patients. Eleven (7.7%) of them were infected with multiple strains. Among the patients with nonmixed infection, iceA2 allele was detected in 118 (90.1%). iceA2 allele was associated with ulcer (P = 0.02) and with carcinoma (P = 0.001). iceA2 amplicons of 229, 334, or 549 bp were detected, but none of them was associated with the patient's disorder. iceA2 strains were more frequent in patients older than 7 years (P = 0.001). The gene was also more frequent in strains obtained from males (P = 0.02). cagA was more common in strains obtained from carcinoma (P = 0.0008) and ulcer patients (P < 0.006). cagA-positive strains were more frequent in children older than 7 years (P < 0.003). No association between cagA status and sex was found (P = 0.28). In conclusion, we think iceA should not be used as a reliable marker for predicting the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection.

vacA genotypes in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from children with and without duodenal ulcer in Brazil.

Data concerning the association between vacA genotypes and disease in children in both developed and developing countries are scarce, especially because of the small number of children with a duodenal ulcer studied. The vacA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori strains obtained from 65 children (24 with a duodenal ulcer and 41 without a duodenal ulcer; 33 girls; mean age, 10.2 years; age range, 1 to 17 years) were investigated as described by J. C. Atherton et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. 37:2979-2982, 1999). Ten (15.4%) children were infected with more than one H. pylori strain. None of these patients were included in our analysis of the relationship between gastric disorders and specific vacA genotypes. The s1 allele was detected in all H. pylori strains isolated from patients with a duodenal ulcer and from 21 (58.3%) patients without a duodenal ulcer (P = 0.003). Strains with the s2 allele were found only in patients without ulcer (n = 15; 41.7%). Most s1 strains had the s1b allele (97.5%), a result similar to that reported for adults from the Iberian peninsula, which could reflect the Brazilian population origin. One untypeable s1 strain was isolated. The m1 allele was also more frequently found in strains obtained from duodenal ulcer patients (P = 0.028). The m2 allele was found in strains obtained from 20 (36. 4%) children, 3 (15.8%) with an ulcer and 17 (47.2%) without an ulcer. Only one m hybrid strain (m1 and m2 hybrid) was detected. It was demonstrated for the first time that the frequencies of colonization with strains with the s1 allele (14.3% in children up to 8 years of age and 85.7% in older patients; P = 0.012) and of strains with the m1 allele (11.1% in patients up to the age 8 years and 88.9% in older children; P = 0.013) increase with age.

Ultrastructure of sperm and spermatogenesis of Cichlidogyrus thurstonae (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea, Monopisthocotylea).

The present work is the first ultrastructural description of mature spermatozoon of the monogenetic trematode Cichlidogyrus thurstonae recovered from the gills of the Nile fish Oreochromis niloticus. The mature spermatozoon of C. thurstonae is long and filiform with a nucleus, mitochondrion and a single axoneme, pressed tightly together for most of their length. As most other platyhelminthes, a solid central unit in the complex central element of the sperm axoneme is present. There are no peripheral microtubules in the sperm and the arrangement conforms to the sperm pattern 4 in the scheme of Justine et al. (1985).

Scanning electron microscopy of the tegumental surface of digenetic trematode Stephanostomum egypticum from the Red Sea fishes.

Surface topography of Stephanostomum egypticum (Ramadan, 1983) is described by Scanning electron microscope, revealed three morphologically different types of spines; forty flattened circum-oral spines arranged in 2 circular rows; forty longitudinal rows of highly projecting thick spines covering area between oral and ventral suckers and rather flattened and sporadic tegumental spines covering the body posterior to the ventral sucker. High magnification showed the spines either single or double pointed with the first type most common. The present study revealed the presence of four types of sensory papillae: domed around the suckers, small button-like aggregated on the ventral sucker and near the bases of the spines; short and long ciliated ones near the posterior extremity of the fluke. High magnification of tegumental surface showed it to be covered with several bleb-like structures. The functions of all these tegumental structures were speculated and discussed was given.

Scanning electron microscopy of Boreostrongylus seurati (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae) from the Egyptian desert gerbil Gerbillus gerbillus with notes on its phylogeny.

A heligmosomid nematode Boreostrongylus seurati, belonging to the subfamily Nippostrongylinae, is described and figured based on specimens collected from duodenum of Egyptian gerbil Gerbillus gerbillus (Olivier) collected in Giza and Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Both light and scanning electron microscopy were used to describe adult worms and their bursa and the synlophe. The ultrastructural morphology of some features of the worms is also described including mouth opening, cuticular surface, spicules, cephalic and bursal papillae.

Studies on the liver fluke Fasciola in Egypt: I--Morphological and morphometrical studies.

A comparative scanning electron microscopy and morphometrical study of the two geographically isolated species of Fasciola (F. heptica European isolate and F. gigantica from Egypt) were studied in order to clarify their genetic relationships and specific identification. Although the present study has revealed that most of the diagnostic morphological and morphometrical criteria in the two species are highly variable, the position of the ventral sucker relative to the whole body length produced the most significant differentiating criterion, in addition to the presence of markedly larger tegumental papillae on the ventral surface of F. gigiantica.

Trypanosoma mega (Kinetoplastida) from Bufo viridis in Siwah Oasis, Egypt.

A large pleomorphic trypanosome, identified as Trypanosoma mega, is described from the toad Bufo viridis collected from Siwah Oasis at the Western Desert of Egypt. The prevalence of the trypanosome is 83.3%. Three trypanosome forms are described, small, intermediate and large stumpy form. Observations were also made on the lysed (diffused) trypanosomes. This is the first record of T. mega from B. viridis in Egypt which represents a new host and new geographical location. The measurements of the present trypanosome are given and compared with related forms previously described from Egypt.

Paraneoplastic syndromes of gynecologic neoplasms.

PURPOSE AND DESIGN: The purpose of this review is to define and describe the paraneoplastic syndromes associated with gynecologic neoplasms. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE from 1966 to January 1996 and Cancerlit was performed. One hundred twenty-two reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-four paraneoplastic syndromes have been associated with gynecologic malignancies. Six anatomic systems are affected by these syndromes. However, except for disseminated intravascular coagulation and hypercalcemia, these syndromes are rare. CONCLUSION: Paraneoplastic syndromes are not frequently associated with gynecologic malignancies. The diagnosis of these syndromes is essential, as they can be occasionally life-threatening. Some paraneoplastic syndromes can be used as marker of progression or regression of the underlying malignancy.

Studies on the helminth parasites of birds from Egypt: 1-trematoda and cestoda.

A total number of 1019 wild birds were examined, of which 486 (49%) were found infected with one or more species of helminth parasites. Digeneans were recovered from 151 (15%) and cestodes from 249 (24%) birds. Out of 20 helminth species recovered, 10 were found new (7 trematodes and 3 cestodes). The prevalence and the effect of concurrent infection on the most frequently occurring helminth parasites were recorded and discussed. A review of all the trematode and cestode parasites previously described from the Egyptian birds was also given.

Comparative SDS-page protein patterns of four ascaridid nematodes.

In order to investigate the degree of homogeneity and heterogeneity of the ascaridid nematodes. Toxascaris leonina, Parascaris equorum, Toxocara canis and T. vitulorum, protein extracts from adult worms of the four nematodes were resolved into a number of bands. Comparative analysis of dominant bands showed that 13 bands were common among the four species, but certain unique bands were also found in each species including 4 in T. vitulorum, one in T. leonina, two in T. canis, while P. equorum shares both T. canis and T. leonina in most of their bands. Among the four ascaridid studied, T. vitulorum appears to be the most divergent species.

The karyotypes of Calicophoron microbothrium and Carmyerius gregarius from Egyptian ruminants.

The karotypes of the two amphistomes Calicophoron microbothrium Fischoeder, 1901 and Carmyerius gregarius (Looss, 1896), Stiles & Goldberger, 1910 from Egyptian ruminants were studied using the air drying technique. The two species have similar number of chromosomes (n = 9), but differ in chromosome morphology. All the chromosomes of C. microbothrium are subtelocentric, except the first and the fifth are metacentric, whereas the chromosomes of C. gregarius are submetacentric, subtelocentric and acrocentric. Some cells in the two species showed tetraploidy. The results are discussed in terms of the phylogenetic relationship of different amphistomes.

Scanning electron microscope observations on Corrigia vitta (Dujardin, 1845) Shtrom, 1940 (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae).

The surface topography of the digenetic trematode Corrigia vitta is described by scanning electron microscope. It revealed the presence of several small sensory papillae on the oral sucker, ventral sucker and along the ventral surface of the fluke, several tegumental projections (spines or tubercles) covering the whole tegument, which vary in shape and length in different areas of the body, and several small invaginations (tegumental pores) are present allover the surface. The eggs are operculated at one pole and possess a smooth surface.

Two new species of Eumegacetes Looss, 1900 (Digenea: Eumegacetidae) from Egyptian birds.

Two new species of the genus Eumegacetes Looss, 1900 are described from avian hosts in Sharkia province, Egypt and these include Eumegacetes (Anterovitellum) pycnonotus n. sp. from the bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus, and E. (Posthovitellum) hirundus n. sp. from the barn swallow Hirundo rustica saviginii. The descriptions are based primarily on differences in the shape and elevation of the intestinal caeca, the position of the genital opening and the shape and distribution of the vitelline follicles, testes, ovary and uterine loops.

Description of Hastospiculum bipinnatum (Linstow 1899) Chandler, 1929 (Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea) from Egyptian Varanus griseus.

Hastospiculum bipinnatum worms were recovered from the thoracic cavity of the lizard Varanus griseus from Egypt. Both adult worms and their larvae were described and compared with the related species. The present is the first record of this parasite from Egypt.

Scanning electron microscope observations on Parapharyngodon bulbosus (Linstow, 1899) (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from Egyptian Chalcides ocellatus.

The oxyurid nematode Parapharyngodon bulbosus was collected from the lizard Chalcides ocellatus from Egypt. Male and female worms were described by light and scanning electron microscopes. The specific characteristics of the worms were defined, including; mouth opening, cuticular surface of the body, genital cone and genital papillae in the male.

Scaning electron microscopy of Capillaria muris sylvatici from Clethrionomys glareolus with reference to the zoonotic species.

Species of the genus Capillaria are numerous. Many of them are parasites of different species of vertebrates, including man, causing various pathological manifestations. The taxonomy of the capillariids is a complicated one. In the present study, light and scanning electron microscopes were used to illustrate and clarify the taxonomic features of Capillaria muris sylvatici. This capillus or hair nematode was recovered from the vole Clethrionomys glareolus. The results were discussed with reference to the species encountered in the medical and veterinary fields.