Assessment of the potential occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in various water sources in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt.

Cryptosporidium species are enteric apicomplexan parasites associated with diarrhoeal disease in humans and animals globally. Waterborne outbreaks resulting from contamination with the infective oocysts are common worldwide. Updated reports on waterborne protozoal infections are needed to identify emerging pathogens and susceptible populations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the current profile of Cryptosporidium contamination of various water sources in Sharqia Governorate, Northeastern Egypt. For this purpose, eighty samples were collected from five different water types (canal, tap, tank, filtered, and groundwater), distributed in four major cities (El-Hessenia, Fakous, Zagazig, and Belbies) in Sharqia Governorate. All water samples were examined using conventional microscopy, ELISA, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) techniques. Based on microscopic analysis, the Cryptosporidium protozoan was identified in 25% of the tested water samples. The RT-PCR assay has allowed for the quantification of Cryptosporidium oocysts in different types of water. Canal water exhibited the highest Cryptosporidium contamination levels (mean = 85.15 oocysts/L), followed by water tanks (mean = 12.031 oocysts/L). The study also provided a comparative evaluation of ELISA and RT-PCR for the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection. RT-PCR performed better than ELISA in terms of analytical accuracy (97.50% vs. 86.25%) and specificity (100% vs. 83.33%). However, ELISA showed a higher sensitivity (95.00% vs. 90.00%) for Cryptosporidium recovery. Our findings could serve as a platform for further investigations into the potential risks associated with water contamination in Sharqia Governorate. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-024-01675-1.

Effect of spiramycin versus aminoguanidine and their combined use in experimental toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the widest spread parasitic infections which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii protozoon. Many experimental studies have evaluated the effect of aminoguanidine upon parasitic load and inflammatory process. However, few reports have illustrated the impact of combining aminoguanidine with spiramycin in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the possible effects of spiramycin used alone and combined with aminoguanidine against the avirulent (ME49) Toxoplasma gondii strain in experimental toxoplasmosis. Fifty-five Swiss albino mice were included in the study and were divided into five groups: (GI): non-infected control group; (GII): infected untreated control group; (GIII): infected- spiramycin treated group; (GIV): infected-aminoguanidine treated group; (GV): infected and received combination of spiramycin and aminoguanidine. Obtained results exhibited a significant increase in brain cysts numbers in aminoguanidine treated groups compared to infected untreated control groups. Histopathological studies denoted that combination between spiramycin and aminoguanidine improved the pathological features only in liver and heart tissues of the studied groups. Moreover, it was noticed that spiramycin administered alone had no effect on nitric oxide expression, whereas its combination with aminoguanidine had an inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme in brain, liver and heart tissues of different study groups. In conclusion, the combination of spiramycin and aminoguanidine significantly reduced the parasitic burden, yet, it failed to resolve the pathological sequels in brain tissues of Toxoplasma gondii infected mice.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HEMOCYTES OF SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT BIOMPHALARIA ALEXANDRINA SNAIL.

The internal defense system consists of soluble components of hemolymph and circulating cells known as hemocytes. The circulating hemocytes play a central role in innate immunity. This work aimed to study the hemocytes of both susceptible and resistant B. alexandrina snails exposed to S. mansoni infection using light and electron microscopes. Two tested groups were included in the study; 60 susceptible and 60 resistant B. alexandrina snails. Both tested groups were studied as regad the hemocyte count (before and after infection) and the morphological characteristics of both circulating and tissue hemocytes by light and electron microscopes. Before infection, .there was no significant difference between the two groups as regard the hemocyte count, however after infection, there is a significant decrease in the circulating hemocytes of the resistant group. Light microscopy revealed five morphological types of circulating cells of both susceptible and resistant snails. Regarding scannig electron microscopy, hemocytes of susceptible snails appeared rounded with smooth or slightly rough surface. However, that of the resistant snails appeared irregular in shaped with corrugated surface. Furthermore, Light microscopy and the transmission electron microscopy revealed signs of cell activation in the hemocytes of the resistant group. The circulating hemocytes consist of five cell types in both susceptible and resistant B. alexandarina and morphologies of these cells are quite similar, but with more signs of cell activations in the resistant group. More specific studies on the functional activities of the hemocytes and mechanisms that may affect or influence the susceptibility and/or non-susceptibility of molluscs to invade microorganisms is essential and how they can act in the immune response.

ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF NITAZOXANIDE IN TREATMENT OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS USING PCR EXAMINATION.

Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease of humans and other animals, caused by the genus Cryptosporidium spp. It causes persistent diarrhea and malnutrition and is associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) on clearing the oocysts of C. parvum among infected children using both parasitological and PCR techniques.120 children (1-12y) shedding Cryptosporidium oocysts in their stools were enrolled in the study. They were classified on the basis of the immune status into immunocompetent (ICT) and immunocompromised (ICZ) groups. Each group were subdivided into two groups one of them received'NTZ, and the other received placebo. The efficacy of nitazoxanide was assessed clinically, parasitologically and by nested-PCR technique. At the end of 1st week of treatment, 80% of ICT/ NTZ group and 40% of ICT/ placebo group were free by PCR and 83.3% & 20% respectively were microscopically free. While at the end of 4th week, 93.3% of ICT/NTZ group and 43.3% of ICT/ placebo group were free by PCR and 96.7% & 26.7% respectively were microscopically free. Among the ICZ group, diarrhea was resolved in most patients receiving NTZ within 21 to 28 days of treatment initiation While, it resolved in the ICT group receiving NTZ in most patients within 3 to 5 days of treatment initiation.